Netflix has faced intense criticism and accusations of defaming Hindus through the portrayal of Islamist terrorists in its web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.” The controversy erupted over the use of code names for the hijackers, prompting the streaming service to update the series by including the terrorists’ real names in response to public outcry and intervention by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Following the meeting, Netflix announced that it would update the series to include the real names of the terrorists in the opening disclaimer. Netflix India’s Vice-President of Content, Monika Shergill, in a statement, said, “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event.”
In response to the growing controversy, Monika Shergill, was summoned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. During the meeting, Shergill was asked to explain the rationale behind the series’ portrayal of the terrorists and why the real names of the hijackers were not clearly mentioned. Government officials reportedly questioned why the series portrayed the hijackers as “firm and sensitive,” while the negotiators appeared “weak and confused.”
Netflix has made significant changes to its web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” following a controversial depiction of the 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking incident. The streaming giant faced backlash over the series’ portrayal of the terrorists involved in the hijacking, leading to a summons from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). The controversy centered around the use of the hijackers’ code names, which some viewers felt were used to downplay their real identities.
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” directed by Anubhav Sinha, dramatises the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in December 1999. The flight, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was seized by five terrorists—an incident that gripped the nation and led to a tense eight-day standoff. The series came under fire after it was discovered that the hijackers were referred to by their code names, such as “Shankar” and “Bhola,” rather than their real names.
Social media users alleged that this portrayal was a deliberate attempt to obscure the terrorists’ true identities and create a misleading narrative. The hashtag #BoycottNetflix began trending, with critics accusing the platform of attempting to “whitewash terrorism” by giving the terrorists Hindu-sounding names.
The real-life hijackers were Ibrahim Athar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shahid Akhter, and Sayed Shakir—all members of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM). These names will now be included in the series’ opening credits to ensure historical accuracy and clarity for viewers.
Shergill emphasised that the series would not undergo any further edits beyond the updated disclaimer. She also reaffirmed Netflix’s commitment to representing stories authentically, stating, “India has a rich culture of storytelling, and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation.”
The hijacking of Flight IC-814 was one of the most harrowing events in Indian aviation history. The plane, with 154 passengers and crew on board, was forced to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where the Taliban held control. The standoff concluded after the Indian government agreed to release three high-profile terrorists—Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar—in exchange for the hostages’ release.
The series, which features a star-studded cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, and Pankaj Kapur, aimed to bring this intense historical episode to the screen. However, the controversy surrounding the portrayal of the hijackers has overshadowed its release, prompting Netflix to take swift action to address the concerns.
As part of its commitment to maintaining content sensitivity, Netflix assured the I&B Ministry that it would conduct thorough reviews of future projects to ensure they align with national sentiments.
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