Netflix Promises Content Review Amid IC 814 Controversy: Ensures Sensitivity Towards India’s Sentiments

Anubhav Sinha's Netflix series, IC: 814 The Kandahar Hijack, is facing backlash for its portrayal of hijackers, who are given Hindu names in the series. This controversy led to Monika Shergill, Netflix India's Head of Content, meeting with the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 3, 2024. The meeting took place at Shastri Bhawan to discuss the series' depiction and ensure it aligns with national sentiments.

Netflix's Response to Controversy

In response to the criticism, Netflix has promised to review the series and any future content to ensure it is sensitive to national sentiments and appropriate for all viewers. "Netflix will conduct a content review and ensure future content respects the nation's sentiments and is suitable for children," said government sources.

Criticism Over Hindu Codenames

The series, released on August 29, 2024, has sparked controversy due to the use of Hindu names for the hijackers. While the real hijackers in the 1999 incident were identified as Muslims, the series assigns Hindu codenames like 'Bhola' and 'Shankar' to them. Critics argue that the series should have clarified this portrayal.

Legal Action and Public Reaction

The backlash on social media has been significant, with concerns raised about the accuracy and sensitivity of the portrayal. Surjit Singh Yadav, Chief of Hindu Sena, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court, seeking a ban on the series. The PIL claims that the series misrepresents the terrorists' actual identities.

About the Series

IC: 814 The Kandahar Hijack is a six-episode drama featuring an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, and Dia Mirza. The series dramatizes the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 on December 24, 1999, which was diverted from Kathmandu to Delhi and into Indian airspace.