New Delhi: Actor Vijay Varma, who portrays the captain of a hijacked plane in the upcoming Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, delves into the real-life stories of his character while preparing for the role. In a recent roundtable discussion with director Anubhav Sinha and other cast members, Vijay shared insights into the intense training and the emotional journey he experienced during the shoot.Vijays preparation for the roleVijay, who spent nearly 90% of his scenes inside a cockpit set, underwent a week-long training course in a flight simulator to authentically portray the pilots perspective. This rigorous preparation allowed him to visualize the terrain while performing against a green screen, enhancing the realism of the scenes.When asked about the most courageous act by the real-life pilot, Captain Devi Sharan, during the infamous hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814, Vijay highlighted the pilots composure and strategic thinking under extreme pressure. To keep his cool, buy time, and ensure the safe landing of the flight in conflict zones... As per the SOPs, a pilot is supposed to follow the hijackers instructions, but he was also trying to influence them. He used tactics to delay takeoff, even at gunpoint, Vijay explained.Emotional toll on captainDirector Anubhav Sinha added that his conversations with Captain Devi Sharan revealed the emotional toll of the ordeal. The pilots greatest relief came when he safely landed the aircraft in Amritsar, but his biggest disappointment was being forced to take off again after just 45 minutes. Anubhav recounted how the captain still bears a physical mark on his neck from where the hijackers held a gun to him, and how he flew the plane at an alarmingly low altitude from Amritsar to Lahore due to a lack of fuel.Pilots rigid decisionAnubhav further described the pilots desperate decision to threaten landing on a highway to force Lahore authorities to allow the plane to land. He was prepared to land on the highway so that at least a few people might survive, but he also hoped the threat would convince Lahore authorities to grant landing permission, Anubhav recalled.
