The controversy surrounding the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has sparked a significant response from both the public and the government. Following the uproar, senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held a crucial meeting with the content head of Netflix India to address concerns regarding the portrayal of sensitive historical events and religious sentiments in the series.
During the meeting, Netflix India assured the central government that they would be more vigilant in their content creation process. The streaming giant promised that future content would be developed with careful consideration of the sentiments of the Indian audience. This assurance comes in response to the backlash against the series, which dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814.
The controversy arose from the depiction of the hijackers in the series. In the show, the five hijackers were given code names such as Burger, Doctor, Bhola, Shankar, and Chief. This creative choice sparked outrage among viewers, as some of these names are associated with Hindu deities, leading to accusations of insensitivity and an attack on Hindu faith. The issue gained traction on social media, with hashtags like #BanNetflix trending as users demanded action against the platform.
In light of the public outcry, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting summoned Netflix’s content head, Monica Shergill, to discuss the matter. The government made it clear that while they support creativity and content creation, they cannot tolerate the distortion of facts or the hurting of religious sentiments under the guise of artistic freedom. They emphasized the importance of thorough research and fact-checking before the release of any content, especially when it touches upon sensitive historical events or cultural issues.
The Netflix team, in response, stated that they are currently conducting a detailed review of the content in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The platform has guaranteed that all future content will undergo stringent checks to ensure it aligns with the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Indian audience. This commitment from Netflix aims to prevent similar controversies in the future and to maintain a respectful approach in their storytelling.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha, marks his foray into the OTT space. Known for his hard-hitting films like Mulk, Article 15, and Bheed, Sinha’s web series features a star-studded cast, including Vijay Verma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Patralekha, Pooja Gaur, and Kumud Mishra. The series, which spans six episodes, retells the harrowing events of the 1999 hijacking incident, where the hijackers forced the plane to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan, leading to a tense hostage situation.
The controversy over the series has also brought to light the larger issue of how sensitive subjects are handled in media. While creative freedom is essential for storytelling, it is equally important to approach such subjects with the necessary cultural and historical context to avoid misrepresentation and offense.
Nilesh Mishra, the author who wrote the first book on the Kandahar hijacking, clarified on social media that the code names used by the hijackers in the series were indeed accurate, as these were the names the terrorists used during the operation. However, the public’s reaction underscores the need for creators to balance historical accuracy with cultural sensitivity, especially in a diverse and emotionally charged environment like India.
As Netflix continues to expand its content library in India, the streaming giant’s commitment to respecting local sentiments will be closely watched by both the government and the audience. The IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack controversy serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with the power of storytelling, particularly in a country with deep-rooted cultural and religious values.
