Netflix India's Content Chief Summoned For Questioning Over 'IC 814' Web Series Row

The Centre has summoned the content head of Netflix to New Delhi in response to growing backlash over the streaming platform's series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack', according to top sources.

The series, which dramatises the notorious 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, has stirred controversy on social media for allegedly altering the names of two of the hijackers to Hindu names, which has sparked significant criticism.

'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is a tense recounting of the real-life ordeal faced by hundreds of passengers who were taken hostage when their flight was hijacked and rerouted to multiple locations before ultimately landing in Taliban-controlled Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The series portrays the hijackers with codenames such as 'Chief', 'Doctor', 'Burger', 'Bhola', and 'Shankar'.

However, the use of the names 'Bhola' and 'Shankar'-commonly associated with Hinduism-has led to accusations of religious misrepresentation and deliberate distortion of facts. Critics argue that these name changes could potentially incite religious tensions.

The series has ignited a heated online debate, with many targeting its director, Anubhav Sinha, for allegedly distorting historical facts.

The controversy has gained momentum, with viewers and social media users expressing outrage over what they perceive as an unnecessary and inflammatory alteration of the hijackers' identities.

'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is adapted from the book 'Flight into Fear: The Captain's Story', authored by journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury and Captain Devi Sharan, who piloted the hijacked flight.

The series features an ensemble cast, including prominent actors like Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Arvind Swami, Anupam Tripathi, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Amrita Puri, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Kumud Mishra.

Amid the controversy, the series' casting director, Mukesh Chhabra, defended the use of codenames for the hijackers. He initially took to X to explain that the names used in the series were based on thorough research.

Chhabra stated, "I am reading so many tweets about the names of the hijackers. We did the proper research. They used to call each other by those names-nicknames or fake names, whatever you want to call them. And thank you, everyone, for loving the ensemble cast. A big thank you to my team, and especially to Anubhav Sinha for trusting us and giving me the freedom to explore."

However, this post was later deleted, possibly in response to the ongoing backlash.