IC 814 Kandahar Hijack: Netflix India vows to align future content with national sentiment

New Delhi: Netflix India has assured the Indian government that future content will align with the nation’s sentiments, following a dispute over its web series, IC 814 Kandahar Hijack. The series, released on August 29 and directed by Anubhav Sinha, depicts the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The portrayal has sparked significant backlash, leading to a meeting between Netflix and government officials.

Netflix Series 'IC814' row | Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this nation. India's culture and civilization should always be respected. You should think before portraying something in a wrong manner. The govt is taking it very seriously: Govt…

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2024

Controversy surrounding the series

The series has come under fire for allegedly altering the hijackers' names to "Bhola" and "Shankar," which are names traditionally associated with Lord Shiva. Critics argue that this portrayal distorts historical facts and offends Hindu sentiments. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya has accused the filmmakers of attempting to whitewash the crimes of Pakistani terrorists by assigning them Hindu names, potentially misleading future generations.

Social media backlash

The release of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has ignited a storm on social media, with hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #BoycottBollywood trending. Users have criticized the filmmakers for rewriting history and downplaying the terror inflicted by the hijackers. However, a Union Home Ministry document from the time of the hijacking confirms that the hijackers used nicknames like Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, and Burger among themselves. The document states, “To the passengers of the hijacked plane, these hijackers came to be known as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar.”

Kangana Ranaut's frustation

In related news, actor Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film, Emergency, which portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the 1975-77 emergency period, has also faced scrutiny. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has raised objections, delaying the film’s release as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reviews the concerns. Ranaut has expressed frustration over what she perceives as unjust censorship, contrasting it with the lack of restrictions on other controversial content.