Netflix Assures Indian Govt Of Content Review After Backlash Over 'IC-814' Depiction

Netflix assured the Indian government on Tuesday that it will review its content to ensure it aligns with national sentiments, according to news agency ANI.

The streaming giant committed to conducting a thorough content review and ensuring that future releases are sensitive to cultural and national sentiments. Government sources emphasized that the portrayal of sensitive issues should be handled with respect for the nation's culture and values, underscoring that any misrepresentation could deeply affect public sentiments.

The controversy centers around Netflix's recent film 'IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack', which has faced backlash for its depiction of the hijackers of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814. Critics are particularly upset about the use of names like "Bhola" and "Shankar," traditionally associated with Lord Shiva, arguing that these choices distort historical facts and misrepresent the terrorists' identities, offending Hindu sentiments.

The film, directed by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Shrivastava, features an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa, and Dia Mirza. It dramatizes the hijacking of Flight IC 814 on December 24, 1999, which was seized shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, as it entered Indian airspace en route to Delhi.

BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the series, accusing Anubhav Sinha of legitimizing the hijackers' criminal intent by using non-Muslim names for them. "The hijackers were notorious terrorists who used aliases to obscure their identities. By assigning them Hindu names, the film risks altering public perception and misrepresenting the facts," Malviya said in a post on X.

Another BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed support for the government's action, recalling the IC 814 hijacking as an event that deeply affected the nation. "The hijacking was carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists, not by individuals from India. It is crucial that the portrayal in this film reflects the true nature of the incident," Chandrasekhar said, praising the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for taking action against Netflix.