IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: Story, Review, Rating, Public Reaction, Controversies, Watch Trailer

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Info Table
3. Story
4. Review
5. Rating
6. Public Reaction
7. Controversies
   • Political Accusations
   • Portrayal of the Taliban
   • Misrepresentation of Facts
   • Religious Sensitivity
   • Whitewashing of Terrorism
   • Historical Accuracy and Artistic License
8. Kangana Ranaut’s Reaction
9. Watch Trailer
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Overview

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814. The series has faced significant backlash for its controversial depiction of the hijackers and the events surrounding the crisis, leading to accusations of historical revisionism and a whitewashing of terrorism.

Info Table

Story

The series chronicles the harrowing hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, which was forcibly diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan, by terrorists. It explores the fear and uncertainty experienced by the passengers and crew, as well as the Indian government’s efforts to resolve the crisis. However, the series’ portrayal of the hijackers, the Taliban, and the broader geopolitical context has been heavily criticized.

Review

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been met with predominantly negative reviews. Critics argue that the series distorts historical facts by renaming the hijackers with generic and traditionally Hindu names, downplaying their real identities as Islamic terrorists. The portrayal of the Taliban as neutral or even cooperative has also drawn sharp criticism. The show’s narrative is often seen as disjointed, with unnecessary subplots that detract from the central story. As a result, the series fails to deliver the emotional depth and intensity expected from a story of this magnitude.

Rating

The series has received a rating of 2 out of 5, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with its content and execution.

Public Reaction

The public reaction has been largely negative, with many viewers expressing outrage over the series’ portrayal of the hijackers and the overall narrative. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, accusing the show of being anti-Hindu propaganda and an attempt to whitewash the crimes of the terrorists.

Controversies

Political Accusations

The series has been accused of downplaying the involvement of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, in the hijacking. Critics argue that the omission of the ISI’s role is a deliberate attempt to sanitize the narrative and shift blame away from Pakistan.

Portrayal of the Taliban

The portrayal of the Taliban in a sympathetic light has led to widespread criticism. Given the Taliban’s well-documented role in harboring the hijackers, this depiction has been seen as a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

Misrepresentation of Facts

Many have accused the series of trivializing the severity of the hijacking by depicting the terrorists engaging in friendly activities with the passengers, such as playing antakshari. This portrayal has been labeled as misleading and insensitive.

Religious Sensitivity

The decision to rename the hijackers with traditionally Hindu names has sparked accusations of religious insensitivity. Critics argue that this choice distorts the religious and ideological motivations behind the hijacking.

Whitewashing of Terrorism

The series has been accused of whitewashing terrorism by downplaying the brutality and terror inflicted by the hijackers. This approach has led to widespread condemnation from viewers who expect a more honest portrayal of such a significant event.

Historical Accuracy and Artistic License

There has been significant debate about the balance between artistic license and historical accuracy in the series. Critics argue that while some creative liberties are acceptable, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack crosses the line by distorting key facts and events.

Kangana Ranaut’s Reaction

Actress Kangana Ranaut took to social media to express her outrage over the series. She criticized the freedom given to filmmakers to distort real-life events to suit politically motivated agendas while lamenting that nationalist filmmakers face censorship. Kangana accused the series of being anti-national and undermining the integrity and unity of India. Her comments have further fueled the controversy surrounding the series, with many echoing her sentiments on social media.

Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists… https://t.co/BRRrG6NGXh

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 2, 2024

Watch Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack about?
   • The series dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 by terrorists who diverted the plane to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
2. Who directed IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack?
   • The series was directed by Anubhav Sinha.
3. Why is the series controversial?
   • The series has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of the hijackers, the Taliban, and the omission of Pakistan’s ISI involvement, leading to accusations of historical revisionism and propaganda.
4. How has the public reacted to the series?
   • Public reaction has been largely negative, with many viewers criticizing the series for its perceived whitewashing of terrorism and anti-Hindu propaganda.
5. What are the main criticisms of the series?
   • Critics have highlighted the renaming of the hijackers with Hindu names, the sympathetic portrayal of the Taliban, and the omission of key facts as major flaws.
6. What rating did the series receive?
   • The series received a rating of 2 out of 5.
7. Is the series based on real events?
   • Yes, the series is based on the real-life hijacking of Flight IC 814 in 1999, although it has been criticized for distorting the facts.
8. Where can I watch IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack?
   • The series is available for streaming on Netflix.
9. Does the series depict the role of Pakistan’s ISI?
   • The series has been criticized for omitting the involvement of Pakistan’s ISI, which was believed to be deeply involved in the hijacking.
10. How are the hijackers portrayed in the series?
    • The hijackers are portrayed with generic names, some of which are traditionally Hindu, and their actions are depicted in a manner that some viewers feel trivializes their crimes.
11. What is the genre of the series?
    • The series is a thriller and historical drama.