A Netflix web series about the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, directed by Anubhav Sinha, has ignited controversy in India over the depiction of some characters. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack recounts the infamous hijacking of a Kathmandu-Delhi flight by militants, who took the plane to Taliban-controlled Kandahar and demanded the release of jailed militants in India, including Masood Azhar.
The controversy arose when viewers on social media noticed that the hijackers were depicted using common Hindu names, such as Bhola and Shankar, instead of their real names: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir—all Pakistani nationals. BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the show, suggesting that it could mislead viewers into believing Hindus hijacked the plane. A Hindu right-wing group has since filed a court case seeking a ban on the series for allegedly distorting historical facts.
Reports indicate that Netflix was summoned by the Indian government over the issue. The streaming platform responded by updating the series’ disclaimer, clarifying the use of both real and code names by the hijackers. Official records and testimonies from the time confirm that the hijackers used these aliases during the hijacking. The series has divided opinion, with some defending its accuracy, while others accuse it of misrepresentation. This incident adds to a series of recent controversies involving international streaming platforms in India over sensitive content.
