Anubhav Sinha’s latest web series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has been at the centre of controversy since its release. A section of the audience has accused the creators of misrepresenting the religious identities of the terrorists, which they argue has hurt people’s sentiments and distorted facts. This controversy even drew the attention of the central government, prompting the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to summon the Netflix India content head. Defending the show, actress Patralekhaa clarified that IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack presents a blend of facts and interpretations, aiming to set the record straight.
Speaking to HT City, the actress, who plays a cabin crew member in the Netflix show, said, “This is not a documentary, clearly. It’s a show that has been written and, obviously, some parts have been imagined.”
Patralekhaa also mentioned many of the characters in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack did not use the real names from the actual incident, adding that it was an attempt to respect the source material and bring a fresh interpretation. “It’s a collaborative effort to bring authenticity and personal touch to the role,” she said.
Patralekhaa continues to promote the series confidently. Just a few days ago, she shared a carousel of clips from the show on her Instagram handle, captioning it, “#IC814 now streaming on @netflix_in.”
View this post on Instagram
In addition to Patralekhaa, director Anubhav Sinha recently addressed the controversy. In an interview with HT City, he mentioned the rigorous process behind the show, saying, “I just know how to make a film; it is a very intensely researched project, and we have been working on it since June 2022 and remained truthful with the script.”
Amid the controversies, Netflix has updated the opening disclaimer for the show. “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer in India has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event,” the streaming giant said in a statement.
Released on August 29, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack chronicles the 1999 hijacking of the Kathmandu-Delhi flight. Five terrorists seized control of the plane, diverting it to Taliban-controlled Kandahar, where they demanded the release of imprisoned terrorists in India.
Comments
0 comment