Anubhav Sinha’s latest series, “IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack,” is making waves on social media, and not for the right reasons. The six-episode series has been criticized for distorting facts and changing the names of two out of five hijackers to names of Hindu gods. Since its premiere on Netflix, many social media users have been calling for the series to be banned. On Tuesday, Netflix responded by announcing that the opening disclaimer of the series has been updated to include both the real and code names of the hijackers.
An event held in Mumbai on September 3 brought together the entire cast and director to address the media. However, Anubhav Sinha had a tense interaction with a journalist who questioned him about the controversy surrounding the series.
A video from the press meet is circulating on social media, showing a reporter asking Sinha about the alleged distortion of facts in the web show. In response, the director lost his cool. Despite attempts by the event host to mediate, Sinha repeatedly asked the reporter, “Aapne series dekha hain?” (Have you seen the series?), before ending the conversation by saying he couldn’t discuss it further with someone who hadn’t watched the series.
Watch the viral video here:
About the series
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, “IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack” features an impressive cast including Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza. The series recounts the true story of the December 1999 hijack of Indian Airlines Airbus A300. It pulls inspiration from real events and adapts content from the book ‘Flight Into Fear’ by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.
In the web series, the filmmakers portray the hijacking incident in gripping detail, aiming to stay as close to the facts as possible. Despite the intention, the controversy has stirred up significant debate, drawing both support and criticism from different corners.
The News Event: What Happened in Mumbai
During the Mumbai press event on September 3, the atmosphere was electric but tense. Media personnel were eager to get answers from the cast and director about the backlash. Anubhav Sinha, known for his candid and sometimes confrontational manner, found himself at the center of attention.
The viral video making the rounds captures a heated exchange between Sinha and a journalist, who questioned the distortion of facts in the series. Sinha responded angrily, repeatedly asking the reporter if he had watched the series, clearly implying that informed questions were welcome but baseless accusations were not.
Mixed Reactions
Ever since the series dropped on Netflix, reactions have been mixed. While some viewers appreciate the intense and gripping storytelling, others have voiced their displeasure over the alleged factual inaccuracies. Social media has become a battleground with hashtags trending both for and against the series.
Netflix’s decision to update the opening disclaimer comes as an attempt to quell the uproar. Whether this move will satisfy the critics or fuel further debate remains to be seen.
Final Thoughts
“IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack” directed by Anubhav Sinha continues to be a topic of intense discussion. The controversy has only added to the series’ visibility, making it one of the most talked-about shows on Netflix right now. With its stellar cast and gripping storyline, it promises to be a significant watch, even as debates around it rage on.
> In the end, “IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack” serves as a reminder of how history and art can sometimes clash, leading to powerful conversations about portrayal, accuracy, and creative license. As for the viewers, it’s essential to watch and form their own opinions.
