IC-814 Passenger On Netflix Series Row: 'Don't Understand The Controversy... Names Used Were Real'

The new Netflix series 'IC-814 Kandahar Hijack', based on the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 by Pakistan-based terrorists, has sparked a controversy over its portrayal of historical facts.

However, Pooja Kataria, one of the 189 hostages on board, has defended the show, asserting that it is rooted in real events and that the names of the hijackers are accurate.

Kataria, speaking to ANI, urged viewers to see the series as entertainment rather than a source of controversy. She said, "I don't know why people are making a controversy... this is based on a real event and the names were also factual."

She recalled the ordeal onboard the flight, noting her surprising interactions with the hijackers: "One hijacker, called 'Burger', celebrated my birthday and gifted me his shawl. Another, 'Doctor', used to give speeches on Islam while we were on the plane and seemed to be an intelligent individual."

Kataria recounted how the passengers, including herself, were caught off guard by the hijacking.

"We were returning from Nepal when the plane was hijacked. There were 176 passengers on the flight... there were five hijackers. We were all scared and didn't have any idea of what was happening. We were given nothing to eat, except a small apple," she explained, referring to the tense and uncertain hostage situation.

The crisis ended after the Indian government agreed to release three terrorists in exchange for the hostages' freedom.

The controversy surrounding the series primarily stems from Netflix's use of two terrorists' code names-'Bhola' and 'Shankar'.

Critics have accused Netflix of distorting facts and misrepresenting the terrorists' identities, which were officially named in a 2000 Home Ministry report as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir.

The use of 'Bhola' and 'Shankar', Hindu names, has led to accusations of offending Hindu sentiments.

However, the Home Ministry had acknowledged that during the hijacking, the terrorists used code names for communication, including 'Bhola', 'Shankar', 'Chief', 'Doctor', and 'Burger'.

Despite this clarification, the government took the controversy seriously and summoned Netflix executive Monika Shergill. The government expressed its displeasure, stating that "nobody has the right to play with people's sentiments."

In response, Netflix updated the series' opening disclaimer to include both the real and code names of the terrorists.

Other hostages have also spoken up about the series, but with varying perspectives. Anil Sharma, a steward on flight IC-814, expressed his reservations about the accuracy of the series.

He told IANS that some scenes in the web series appeared fictional, and he claimed that the names 'Bhola' and 'Shankar' were "imaginary... and not their (the terrorists') real names."

Sharma further criticised the intent behind the show, stating, "The intent of the makers of the web series did not seem good to me."

'IC-814 Kandahar Hijack' is inspired by the real-life events that took place on board flight IC-814 and on the ground in both Kandahar and Delhi.

The series is also based on the book 'Flight Into Fear: The Captain's Story' by Captain Devi Sharan, who piloted the ill-fated flight.

The series stars acclaimed actors Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur in prominent roles.

Despite the backlash, the show has gained attention for revisiting one of India's most infamous and politically charged hijackings.