Netflix’s new series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has quickly found itself at the center of controversy. Based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, the series has drawn criticism for various inaccuracies. One of the most vocal critics is Anil Sharma, the cabin crew chief of the hijacked plane, who claims that the series misrepresents several key details of the harrowing incident.
Anil Sharma’s Concerns with the Series
Anil Sharma, who lived through the terrifying experience of the IC 814 hijacking, expressed his disappointment with how the series portrayed the events. Speaking with journalist Barkha Dutt, Sharma described the show as “disappointing” and “funny,” stating that it fails to capture the true gravity of what happened. According to him, those who survived the ordeal are angry about how their experiences have been trivialized.
Sharma pointed out that the series lacks the depth and sensitivity needed to accurately portray the intense and dangerous situation that unfolded inside the plane. He explained that the real drama happened within the cabin, where passengers and crew were subjected to terrifying threats. However, the series glosses over these details, making it seem less intense than it actually was.
Discrepancies in the Portrayal of Crew Treatment
One of the major flaws Sharma highlighted was the incorrect depiction of how the hijackers treated the crew. In the series, an air hostess is shown being slapped by the hijackers. Sharma insists this never happened. Instead, he recalls that the only crew member who was physically assaulted was the junior flight attendant, Mr. Satish. Sharma vividly remembers how Satish was hit on the back of the head, had his hair pulled, and was pushed onto a chair by the hijackers.
Sharma is particularly upset that the series falsely shows the hijackers manhandling female crew members. He stresses that while there were moments of intense searching, the hijackers did not physically assault the female crew. This inaccuracy, he believes, distorts the reality of what happened on that fateful day.
Flawed Depiction of Negotiations and National Security Team
Sharma also takes issue with how the series portrays the Indian team that was sent to negotiate with the hijackers. In IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, the negotiators, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, are depicted as being less serious and effective than they were in real life. Sharma argues that the negotiators were highly serious and committed to resolving the situation, and the series does them a disservice by not showing this accurately.
A Broader Criticism of the Series
The controversy surrounding IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack goes beyond Sharma’s personal criticisms. Many viewers have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the way the series handles the subject of terrorism. Critics argue that the series downplays the severity of the hijacking and the terror it caused across the nation. They believe that the portrayal of terrorists and their actions is too light-hearted for such a serious subject.
Anil Sharma shares this sentiment, stating that the series fails to capture the national trauma that the hijacking caused. He reflects on how the incident brought India to its knees and believes that the series should have treated the subject with more seriousness and respect.
Government Involvement and Response
The controversy has reached such a level that the Indian government has gotten involved. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry summoned Netflix India’s content head, Monica Shergill, to discuss the issues with the series. Following the meeting, Netflix updated the disclaimer for IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack to include the real names of the hijackers, a move that some see as an attempt to address one of the criticisms.
Final Thoughts on the Series and Its Reception
Despite the updates, the controversy surrounding IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack continues. Anil Sharma’s criticisms highlight the broader issue of how real-life events are portrayed in fiction. When a series claims to be based on true events, it carries the responsibility of being accurate and respectful to those who lived through it. In this case, Sharma and others believe that the series falls short of that responsibility.
As viewers continue to debate the merits and flaws of the series, it’s clear that IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has sparked a conversation about the ethics of storytelling and the importance of truth in dramatizing real events. The series may have been intended to entertain, but for those who were there, it’s a painful reminder of an experience that should not be taken lightly.
