Patralekha’s Experience While Shooting for IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
This week, numerous thrilling films and web series are set to debut on OTT platforms. Fans are eagerly awaiting these releases, among which is IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. This series is premiering on Netflix, having recently had its debut at the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, where the first two episodes were screened. The narrative revolves around the true story of the 1999 Kandahar hijacking over the span of seven days. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series features an impressive cast including Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrita Puri, Pooja Gaur, Vijay Varma, and Patralekha. The official trailer, released just a week ago, has received overwhelming responses, teasing the gripping story within its 2-minute and 56-second runtime. The series will consist of six episodes.
Challenges Faced by Patralekha During Filming
Patralekha, who plays an air hostess in the series, shared some intriguing anecdotes from the shoot. In a recent interview with News 18, she explained the odd experience of being confined inside an aircraft during the filming. With nearly 100 people, including the crew, onboard, the situation became quite challenging.
A Shocking Incident While Filming
During the interview, Patralekha recounted an alarming incident where she received a hard slap while filming a dramatic scene in the airplane. She mentioned, “The air conditioning was on in the plane, but due to the noise, it had to be switched off. This resulted in a stuffy environment, making it difficult for me to breathe. After finishing the scenes, my health deteriorated significantly, and it took me over a week to recover.”
Illness and Recovery
She further elaborated on the extent of the challenges faced, stating, “Both Director Anubhav Sinha and I fell ill during filming. It took me more than a week to bounce back. While I was down, Anubhav had a fever, but amidst that, your mind stays engaged with the project. The entire process was quite tough, and I hope never to find myself in a hijack situation; it was terrifying.”
Inspirations from Taapsee Pannu
During the filming, Patralekha also took on some physically demanding scenes. For one particular intense moment, she shared her encounter with the infamous slap that came as part of her character’s challenges. Remarkably, before filming this scene, she recalled the dedication of actress Taapsee Pannu, who, during the filming of the film Thappad, reportedly endured 15 slaps for the sake of authenticity. This surprising fact encouraged Patralekha to embrace the challenging scene she faced.
Conclusion
Patralekha’s experience on the set of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack showcases the dedication and resilience of actors while navigating the physical and psychological demands of their roles. With its blend of true events and intense drama, this series promises to captivate audiences when it launches on Netflix on August 29. Fans can look forward to the thrilling storyline and remarkable performances that bring the harrowing tale of the Kandahar hijacking to life.
