The web series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’, recently released directly on OTT, has found itself embroiled in a widespread controversy. Accused of distorting information surrounding a true incident, the series has faced backlash for assigning Hindu names to the characters portraying Muslim terrorists. This move has sparked strong objections and prompted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to initiate an inquiry into the matter.
On December 24, 1999, a flight traveling from Kathmandu, Nepal to Delhi fell victim to a hijacking orchestrated by Pakistani terrorists. With 190 passengers onboard, the flight, known as ‘IC 814’, made stops in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan on December 25. The hijackers demanded the release of Pakistani terrorists held in Indian jails, a traumatic event that inspired the creation of the web series ‘IC814: The Kandahar Hijack’.
The series has come under fire for altering the names of the terrorists involved in the hijacking, portraying them as Bhola and Shankar instead of their actual identities. This deviation from reality has not been well-received by viewers, who feel that it disrespects the sentiments of Hindus. Director Anubhav Sinha and Netflix’s content chief have been called upon to explain the rationale behind this decision, leading to further scrutiny and demands for clarity from the public.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, the hashtag ‘Boycott Bollywood’ has resurfaced on social media, reflecting the discontent among netizens and raising questions about the portrayal of sensitive historical events in entertainment media.
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