Anubhav Sinha’s web series, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, tells the story of the infamous hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999. Released on Netflix on August 29, the series features many talented actors, including Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor. These two actors are highly respected in Bollywood for their acting skills and have brought depth to the series with their performances. But the casting process for these roles had some interesting twists, as shared by Anubhav Sinha in a recent press conference.
Naseeruddin Shah’s Quick Decision
During the press conference held in Mumbai, Sinha shared the story of how Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor were cast in the series. Initially, the roles played by these two actors were not considered very important. The casting team first selected Vijay Varma for a different role. However, as the script evolved, Sinha and his team realized that Shah and Kapoor’s characters were crucial to the story.
Sinha recounted, “At first, we didn’t think these roles would be so significant. But as the script developed, we saw how important they were. We then started thinking about who could play these roles.” The idea of casting Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor came later, almost as a sudden inspiration.
When Sinha approached Naseeruddin Shah, he found him in a good mood. Shah agreed to the role almost immediately, saying, “Yes, okay, I’m doing it.” Sinha joked that he quickly left before Shah could change his mind.
Pankaj Kapoor’s Initial Refusal
The casting of Pankaj Kapoor, however, was a bit more challenging. Sinha called Kapoor after getting Shah on board, but Kapoor initially declined the offer. He explained that he needed to read the entire script, but he didn’t have the time to do so. Sinha, determined to have Kapoor in the series, kept insisting until Kapoor agreed to read the script. Eventually, Kapoor was convinced and agreed to take on the role, much to Sinha’s relief.
Controversy Surrounding the Series
The series has not been without controversy. The central government and the public have raised concerns about the names of the terrorists portrayed in the series. The hijackers are named Bhola, Shankar, Burger, Doctor, and Chief. The use of Hindu names, particularly Bhola and Shankar, for the terrorists has sparked criticism, with claims that it hurts Hindu sentiments.
The controversy reached the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which summoned Netflix India’s Vice President, Monica Shergill. In response to the uproar, Netflix decided to include a disclaimer at the beginning of the series, mentioning both the real and code names of the hijackers.
Anubhav Sinha’s Response to the Controversy
When asked about the name controversy, Anubhav Sinha had a sharp reply. He questioned whether those raising the issue had even watched the series. Upon not receiving a direct answer, Sinha remarked that he couldn’t discuss the issue with someone who hadn’t seen the show.
Despite the controversy, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack continues to attract attention, not only for its gripping storyline but also for the strong performances of actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor. Their journey to being cast in the series adds another layer of interest to this already complex and dramatic narrative.
