Vijay Varma, a rising star in the entertainment industry, has been gaining popularity with his recent work in web series and films. However, his latest project, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has stirred up significant controversy. The web series, which is based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999, has been criticized for allegedly altering historical facts.
Series Under Fire for Misrepresentation
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack tells the story of the infamous hijacking of an Indian passenger plane by terrorists. While Vijay Varma plays the lead role in the series, the show has come under fire for its portrayal of the terrorists involved in the incident. In the series, the hijackers are named “Bhola” and “Shankar,” a change from their real names, which has sparked outrage among viewers.
The original hijacking involved five terrorists identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Syed, Sunny Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir, all of whom were part of a Pakistan-based terrorist group. The decision to rename the terrorists in the series has led to accusations that the creators, including director Anubhav Sinha, have tampered with the facts.
Social Media Outcry
Viewers quickly took to social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their anger over the name changes. Many questioned the decision to use names like “Bhola” and “Shankar,” which are typically associated with Hindu deities, instead of the actual names of the hijackers. Critics argued that this alteration distorts the truth and accused the creators of attempting to “whitewash” the historical event.
One user expressed disappointment, stating, “If terrorism has no religion, then why did they change the names?” Another criticized the show, saying, “Shame on @AnubhavSinha for naming the hijackers as Shankar and Bhola! All the hijackers were Muslim terrorists.”
Calls for Boycott
The controversy has also led to calls for a boycott of the series and the streaming platform hosting it. Some users have accused Netflix of being complicit in spreading a false narrative, with one user writing, “#NetflixIndia has become a fake story peddler, a sympathiser of Pakistani terrorists.”
The backlash against IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack highlights the sensitivity surrounding portrayals of historical events in popular media. As the controversy continues to unfold, the series faces increasing scrutiny from viewers and critics alike.
