The web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” directed by Anubhav Sinha and streaming on Netflix, has sparked a significant controversy. The series, based on the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814, uses the aliases Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar for the hijackers, who were all Muslim terrorists from Pakistan. Critics argue that the director should have revealed the real names of the hijackers instead of using their code names, accusing him of whitewashing the terrorists’ identities.
The controversy escalated when the BJP criticized the series for allegedly legitimizing the hijackers’ criminal intent. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya commented that the use of non-Muslim names could mislead future generations into thinking that Hindus hijacked the plane.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Netflix India’s content head Monika Shergill to address these concerns. The government’s move highlights the gravity of the situation, as the series has been accused of distorting historical facts.
The Series and Its Controversy
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is based on a book by Captain Devi Sharan, who was on the flight during the hijacking. The series attempts to remain true to the real-life events, but it has faced backlash over the portrayal of the hijackers. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the outrage, pointing out the inconsistency in how some audiences react to content about sensitive historical events.
The real hijackers were from the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The Home Ministry had confirmed their identities in a statement dated January 6, 2000. The hijackers were Ibrahim Athar (Bahawalpur), Shahid Akhtar Sayed (Karachi), Sunny Ahmed Qazi (Karachi), Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim (Karachi), and Shakir (Sukkur City). The use of aliases in the series, while historically accurate, has led to accusations of religious and political bias.
Should the Real Names Have Been Highlighted?
The question of whether Anubhav Sinha should have highlighted the real names of the terrorists is at the center of this controversy. By avoiding their real names, Sinha might have inadvertently downplayed their identities, leading to public outrage. However, the filmmaker’s decision could be more about adherence to historical records than a deliberate attempt to mislead.
Cinematic portrayals often face unforeseen controversies, and “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is no exception. As the debate continues, some suggest practical solutions, such as editing the series to include the real names of the hijackers. While this could resolve the issue, it also raises questions about artistic freedom and the responsibilities of filmmakers when dealing with sensitive historical events.
Will the Series Be Edited?
Although editing the series to reflect the real names of the hijackers could quell the current controversy, it would require additional resources and time. More importantly, it touches upon the broader issue of whether filmmakers should succumb to external pressures, especially when their work aims to depict historical events accurately.
In the end, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” remains a well-crafted series that has received praise for its cinematic execution. However, the debate over the portrayal of the hijackers’ identities continues to overshadow its success, reflecting the complex intersection of art, history, and public perception.
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