Netflix India Changes ‘IC814′ Disclaimer Following Row over Hijackers’ Code Names

New Delhi: Netflix India on Tuesday updated the opening disclaimer of its latest series “IC814: The Kandahar Hijack” following controversy over its use of hijackers’ code names.

“For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers,” said Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content at Netflix India.

“The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of storytelling — and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation,” she said in the statement.

Shergill came up with this statement after meeting the Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi. She was summoned by the ministry, when some quarters raised concerns over use of Hindu code names used by the hijackers and the alleged humane face given to some of them.

This series is directed by Anubhav Sinha. It has Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza in key roles.

This series is based on the true story of the December 1999 hijack. It is an adaptation of the book titled ‘Flight Into Fear’ written by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.

It faced controversy when many on social media blamed the filmmaker for changing the names of the hijackers to ‘Shankar’ and ‘Bhola’ to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

But many survivors and journalists supported the depiction in the series claiming that the hijackers did use the code names depicted in the show. The ‘aliases’ used by the hijackers in the series have been in public domain, including the Union Home Ministry’s official statement issued on January 6, 2000.