‘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.

Kandahar flight hijackers' original names:

* Ibrahim Athar
* Shahid Akhtar
* Sunny Ahmed
* Zahoor Mistry
* Shakir

Anubhav Sinha hijacker web series IC 814 depicted as:
* Bhola
* Shankar

This is how whitewashing done cinematically pic.twitter.com/8WPzJqExNO

— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) August 31, 2024

Names of IC814 Hijackers changed to Shankar & Bhola by @anubhavsinha

This is how Bollywood let the TERRORISTS WIN:#BoycottBollywood#IC814TheKandaharHijack

IC814 Names in
Hijackers Webseries pic.twitter.com/lv0xeVgIJu

— Stranger (@amarDgreat) September 1, 2024

Can we just simply #BoycottIC814, The Kandahar Hijack?

These people are whitewashing in broad daylight. How this is even possible? https://t.co/FOVjaYB9ld

— Rigorous Tony (@rigorous_tony) August 31, 2024

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.

This is just not acceptable @MIB_India @MIB_Hindi @AmitShahOffice @PMOIndia
This is insulting to the nation at large. The propagandists are the biggest perpetrators of the crime against national security and unity.#BoycottIC814 https://t.co/rGsmKC09DO

— Sushil K. Parashar (@sugeetp) August 31, 2024

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.”