Director Anubhav Sinha’s web series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, which was recently released on Netflix, is mired in controversy. Anubhav is being continuously attacked on social media for changing the names of terrorists in the web series based on the Kandahar plane hijacking in 1999. Meanwhile, during the promotion of the web series, Anubhav burst out in anger on a question.
Why did you get angry
When a reporter asked the director a question about the tampering of facts in the web series, he first refused to answer. During this, the host also kept trying to interrupt, but when the reporter kept asking questions, Anubhav Sinha got angry. He replied, have you seen the series? Watch the series. I cannot talk to you, you have not seen the series. After this the press conference ended.
What is the controversy regarding the film
As soon as IC814: The Kandahar Hijack web series was released on Netflix on August 29, controversy started. In the web series, it is shown that during the Kandahar hijack incident, the terrorists are using code names instead of using their real names, which are Burger, Chief, Shankar and Bhola. Due to the use of Hindu names like Shankar and Bhola, users on social media started targeting the director of the web series. During this, there was also a demand for boycotting the web series.
Netflix took this step
After people’s anger erupted, the government intervened and lodged an objection with Netflix, after which the OTT platform has now agreed to update the disclaimer of the web series. Netflix will now mention the real names of the terrorists. Netflix India’s Vice President, Content Monica Shergill said in a press note, ‘For viewers unfamiliar with the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999, the initial disclaimer has been updated, including the real and code names of the kidnappers. The code names in the series reflect the names used during the actual incident. India has a rich culture of storytelling and we are committed to showing these stories and their authentic representation.’
