Vijay Varma's 'IC 814' Sparks Controversy: Delhi HC PIL Claims Series Misrepresents Historical Facts

Vijay Varma's latest project, "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack," has recently sparked significant controversy. A day after the head of Netflix India was summoned by authorities, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court. This PIL seeks to ban the series, alleging that it distorts historical facts and offends religious sentiments.

Accusations of Fact Distortion

The petition, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, President of Hindu Sena and a farmer, argues that the series misrepresents the real identities of the hijackers involved in the 1999 Indian Airlines flight hijacking. According to the plea, the series incorrectly names the hijackers with names associated with Lord Shiva, such as Bhola and Shankar, which allegedly hurts the Hindu community's sentiments.

Call for Action

Yadav's petition demands that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) be cancelled and that the series be banned from public viewing. The plea emphasizes that the distortion of facts not only misrepresents history but also spreads harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

Government Response

In response to the controversy, the central government has summoned the content head of Netflix India. The government has requested an explanation regarding the portrayal of the 1999 hijacking by the Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

Series Overview

"IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack," directed by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava, is based on the book Flight Into Fear: The Captain's Story by Devi Sharan and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury. Released on Netflix on August 29, 2024, the series dramatizes the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 on December 24, 1999. Besides Vijay Varma, the cast includes Naseeruddin Shah, Dia Mirza, Rajiv Thakur, Pooja Gor, Patralekhaa, Aditya Srivastava, and Pankaj Kapur.

The series has garnered significant attention from viewers, reflecting its strong reception among cinephiles.