‘Boycott IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack’: Netizens Say Director ‘Whitewashing’ Viewers

Anubhav Sinha’s latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has sparked controversy online. While the series, which chronicles the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, has received critical acclaim for its performances, some viewers have accused it of ‘whitewashing’ the events.

One of the main points of contention is the use of fictional names for the hijackers. In reality, the perpetrators were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. However, in the series, they are portrayed as Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger, Chief, and others. This decision has led to criticism, with some viewers suggesting that the series may have attempted to sanitize the identities of the terrorists.

Despite the controversy, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack has garnered positive reviews from critics. The series boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza. News18 Showsha awarded the series a 3.5/5 rating, praising the performances and calling it a “gripping series elevated by its stellar cast.”