Netflix has recently stirred up controversy in India with its new series, “IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack,” a fictionalized retelling of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 from Kathmandu. The show was intended to dramatize the tense and harrowing events of that hijacking, but instead, it’s landed Netflix in hot water due to social media outrage and backlash from the Indian government. The crux of the controversy? The portrayal of the hijackers as Hindus with Hindu names, while in reality, the hijackers were Muslim.
Almost immediately after its release, the series drew sharp criticism online, with #BoycottNetflix trending on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend. Many viewers and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Netflix of misleading the audience and showing the hijackers in a positive light. They were particularly upset by the depiction of hijackers with Hindu identities, which they felt was a gross misrepresentation of historical facts. The criticisms intensified when Amit Malviya, head of BJP's social media unit, publicly slammed the series for “legitimizing the criminal intent” of the hijackers and falsely suggesting that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking.
As a response to the uproar, Netflix officials were summoned to India's information and broadcasting ministry on Tuesday. Soon after, Netflix announced that it would be updating the series’ opening disclaimer. Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, released a statement saying, “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.”
While the government did not comment directly on the matter, the addition of the new disclaimer seems to be Netflix's way of placating critics and clarifying the fictional nature of the portrayal. The disclaimer aims to make it clear that while the series draws inspiration from true events, it does not intend to rewrite history or inaccurately represent those involved.
For those who may not recall, the hijacking of Flight IC-814 was a deeply traumatic incident for India. On December 24, 1999, five armed terrorists hijacked the plane soon after it took off from Kathmandu, Nepal. The flight was diverted to several locations before eventually landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was under Taliban control at the time. The standoff lasted for several days and ended with the Indian government agreeing to release three Islamist militants, including Masood Azhar, who later became the head of a notorious Pakistan-based militant group. The event has long been a point of tension between India and Pakistan, with India blaming Pakistan and its militant networks for orchestrating the hijacking.
Adding more drama to the series, “IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack” stars renowned actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Kapur, among others. It is based on the book “Flight into Fear,” co-authored by Devi Sharan, the flight’s captain, and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury. The series tries to capture the chaos and fear of those harrowing days from the perspective of those on board, but its creative liberties have sparked controversy.
This isn’t the first time Netflix, along with other streaming giants like Amazon Prime Video, has found itself at odds with public sentiment in India. Content on these platforms has often been accused of hurting the sentiments of the country’s majority Hindu population. Hindu nationalist groups have previously targeted shows and films for what they perceive as disrespect towards Hinduism or for challenging traditional Indian values. These clashes often highlight the ongoing tension between creative expression and cultural sensitivities in a country as diverse and complex as India.
Streaming platforms like Netflix have become a battleground for cultural and political disputes, reflecting broader societal debates within India. On one side, there's a push for creative freedom and diverse storytelling that doesn't shy away from controversial topics. On the other, there's a significant call for content that respects and adheres to traditional values and nationalistic sentiments. It’s a tightrope that Netflix and its peers must navigate carefully, especially in a market as vast and varied as India.
The backlash against “IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack” underscores the challenges that global streaming services face when their content brushes against local historical and cultural narratives. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about the power of storytelling and its impact on collective memory and identity. For Netflix, updating the disclaimer might be a small step towards addressing the immediate concerns, but it also serves as a reminder of the sensitivities involved in portraying real-life events, particularly those that are still fresh in the national psyche.
As streaming services continue to expand their reach in India, balancing creative storytelling with cultural respect will likely remain a contentious and ongoing challenge. The reaction to “IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack” is a clear signal that audiences are paying close attention to how their stories are told, and they’re ready to voice their opinions loudly and clearly when they feel misrepresented. For now, Netflix’s updated disclaimer might calm some of the outrage, but it remains to be seen how the series will be received in the long run—and whether other shows will face similar scrutiny in the future.
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