Controversy Surrounding “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” Web Series
The recently released web series, ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’, featuring renowned actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Vijay Varma, and Dia Mirza, has stirred significant controversy since its debut on Netflix. The series tackles a sensitive historical event – the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in December 1999 – but has faced backlash for the names given to the hijackers in the narrative.
The Controversial Names
Viewers have taken to social media to express their concerns regarding the names assigned to the hijackers in the series: ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’. This creative choice has sparked debates online, with many questioning the motive behind such fictional naming in a series based on real-life events. In light of the uproar, author Neelesh Misra, whose book inspired the series, decided to address the matter directly.
Author’s Response to the Backlash
Neelesh Misra took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the context of these names. He responded to a viewer’s post, emphasizing that the hijackers indeed used false names during the course of the incident, which is a reflection of their real-life behavior. Misra recounted, “Shankar, Bhola, Burger, Doctor, and the Chief, the brother of then-jailed Masood Azhar himself.” He explained that these names were used as aliases by the hijackers to communicate with each other and were how passengers identified them during the hijacking ordeal.
All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking.
— Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) August 31, 2024
Understanding the Hijacking Incident
The hijacking incident, which gripped the nation in 1999, involved terrorists who took control of the aircraft, demanding the release of fellow militants held in Indian prisons. The high-profile event was marked by intense negotiations and a significant military response. The hijackers used code names throughout their interactions, highlighting their elaborate planning and the high stakes involved.
Misra’s Clarification on Names in the Book
In subsequent messages, Misra asserted that while the series does not accurately present the real names of the hijackers – which were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Syed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, and Zahoor Mistry, among others – it remains true to the nature of their pseudonyms as utilized at the time. He stressed, “My book includes the real names of the terrorists, their photographs, their cities, and their code names,” clarifying that the series is not a direct adaptation of his work.
This web series is not based on my book. I haven’t seen it, nor am I part of it. If the series does not mention the real names of the Pakistani terrorists, that’s something unimaginable for me. I can only state the facts that they indeed used Hindu code names during the hijacking.
— Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) September 1, 2024
Director and Cast of the Series
The series is directed by Anubhav Sinha, marking his entry into the OTT space. Besides the lead actors, the cast includes talented performers such as Patralekha, Pooja Gor, and Kumud Mishra, who contribute to the intense narrative. Released on August 29, 2024, the series has been met with mixed reviews, combining thrill and drama against the backdrop of a significant historical event.
