Netflix series on Indian plane hijack sparks controversy about streaming content

‘The Kandahar Hijack’ sparked controversy over Hindu names for Islamic militants, raising questions on content regulation and national sentiment in India

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Rajiv Thakur as “Burger,” the chief hijacker.
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller drama television mini series about the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:30pm, 11 Sep 2024Updated: 7:35pm, 11 Sep 2024

India’s entertainment industry is embroiled in a controversy over a Netflix series on the hijacking of an Indian plane a quarter of a century ago, with nationalist outrage centred on the use of Hindu names for Islamic militants.

The series, called IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, portrays the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 from Kathmandu. Some social media users criticised the series because two of the hijackers were shown with Hindu code names rather than their Muslim identities, arguing it misrepresents the perspective of the event.

Netflix officials have been summoned by India’s information and broadcasting ministry, and the streaming service has agreed to issue a disclaimer.

“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,” Monika Shergill, Vice-President, Content, at Netflix India, said in a statement.

Netflix, as well as other streaming platforms, previously faced similar cases of outrage, especially from Hindu groups, who say their content hurts the sentiments of the country’s religious population.

The controversy has led to discussions about the sensitivity of content presented to Indian audiences and the government’s stance on religious and nationalist sentiments.