In 1999, India faced a nightmare that still haunts the nation—an event that gripped the country with fear and helplessness. Anubhav Sinha, known for his powerful films, brings this haunting story to life in his upcoming web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The trailer for this series, based on the horrific Kandahar hijacking, was released on August 19, and it promises a heart-pounding experience. The nearly three-minute teaser introduces a star-studded cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Verma, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swami, Dia Mirza, Pankaj Kapoor, and Patralekha, who take viewers on an emotional and terrifying journey. This series marks Sinha’s debut in the OTT space and is set to release on Netflix on August 29.
Watch the IC 814 Trailer Here
The trailer is intense, capturing the terror that unfolded at 30,000 feet when the lives of 188 passengers hung in the balance. Meanwhile, millions of Indians anxiously waited for any news. The trailer depicts the chaos inside the hijacked plane, the Indian government’s frantic attempts to resolve the situation, and the escalating demands of the terrorists. Sinha’s direction showcases every harrowing moment, from the tension in the aircraft to the strategies being devised in the government’s war room.
A Blend of Horror, Drama, and Suspense
One of the most gut-wrenching moments in the trailer is when the plane’s fuel levels drop dangerously low, and it begins descending. Vijay Verma, who portrays the plane’s captain, frantically calls out, “Mayday, Mayday,” embodying the immense pressure of trying to keep his passengers alive. The fear and determination on his face convey the psychological toll of being caught between life and death.
Inside and Outside the Plane: A Gripping Tale
Anubhav Sinha sheds light on the dire situation, stating, “30,000 feet above the ground, a plane is under the grip of weapons. Dangerous individuals are in control. You don’t know their demands or if they can be met. Even the passengers are clueless.” The series dives into the events that took place both inside the aircraft and in the corridors of power in Delhi, showing how the plane landed in four different countries in one night. Sinha’s series promises to reveal the grim truth of this infamous hijacking, covering everything from the events inside the plane to the intense negotiations at the war room in Delhi and the station in Kandahar.
The Kandahar Hijack: A Brief Overview
For those unfamiliar with the incident, Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, just 40 minutes after taking off from Kathmandu. The plane, with 188 passengers, was held hostage for seven agonizing days. It flew from Kathmandu to Amritsar, then to Lahore, where it was refueled before heading to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was under Taliban control. The Indian government made desperate efforts to secure the release of the passengers, ultimately agreeing to release three dangerous terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, in exchange for the hostages. Then-Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh personally escorted the terrorists to Kandahar, where they were handed over to the Taliban. On December 31, 1999, the hostages were finally freed.
With its gripping storyline and stellar cast, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is set to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller that takes viewers back to one of the most terrifying episodes in Indian history.
