NEW DELHI: Netflix India announced on Tuesday that it has updated the opening disclaimer of its latest series, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, following controversy over the depiction of the hijackers‘ code names.
The move comes after concerns were raised regarding the use of Hindu-sounding code names for the hijackers, which some critics claimed were an attempt to obscure the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.
Monika Shergill, vice president of Content at Netflix India, stated that the disclaimer was revised to provide clarity for viewers unfamiliar with the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers,” Shergill said.
She said that the code names used in the series accurately reflect those employed during the actual event. “India has a rich culture of storytelling – and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation,” she added.
The announcement followed Shergill’s meeting with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi, where she was summoned to address the concerns raised. The controversy particularly focused on the use of Hindu code names for the hijackers and the portrayal of some of them in a seemingly humane light, which sparked a backlash on social media.
IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha and featuring a cast that includes Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza, recounts the true story of the December 1999 hijacking. The series is inspired by real events and includes an adaptation of the book Flight Into Fear, written by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.
The series has faced criticism online, with hashtags like #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 trending on social media. Critics accused the filmmakers of changing the hijackers’ names to ‘Shankar’ and ‘Bhola’ to protect the terrorists’ identities, implying a possible bias. However, many survivors of the hijacking and journalists have defended the series, noting that the code names used by the hijackers were already in the public domain, as evidenced by a Union home ministry statement issued on January 6, 2000.
Despite the controversy, Netflix has stood by the series, asserting that the story has been told with authenticity, and the updated disclaimer aims to ensure transparency for the audience.
The move comes after concerns were raised regarding the use of Hindu-sounding code names for the hijackers, which some critics claimed were an attempt to obscure the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.
Monika Shergill, vice president of Content at Netflix India, stated that the disclaimer was revised to provide clarity for viewers unfamiliar with the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers,” Shergill said.
She said that the code names used in the series accurately reflect those employed during the actual event. “India has a rich culture of storytelling – and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation,” she added.
The announcement followed Shergill’s meeting with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi, where she was summoned to address the concerns raised. The controversy particularly focused on the use of Hindu code names for the hijackers and the portrayal of some of them in a seemingly humane light, which sparked a backlash on social media.
IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha and featuring a cast that includes Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza, recounts the true story of the December 1999 hijacking. The series is inspired by real events and includes an adaptation of the book Flight Into Fear, written by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.
The series has faced criticism online, with hashtags like #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 trending on social media. Critics accused the filmmakers of changing the hijackers’ names to ‘Shankar’ and ‘Bhola’ to protect the terrorists’ identities, implying a possible bias. However, many survivors of the hijacking and journalists have defended the series, noting that the code names used by the hijackers were already in the public domain, as evidenced by a Union home ministry statement issued on January 6, 2000.
Despite the controversy, Netflix has stood by the series, asserting that the story has been told with authenticity, and the updated disclaimer aims to ensure transparency for the audience.
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