Netflix's IC-814 series controversy, all you need to know

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Netflix’s content head for a meeting on September 3 regarding the controversy surrounding the series "IC-814 -- The Kandahar Hijack." The series, which began streaming on August 29, has faced backlash on social media, leading to calls for a boycott.

Critics argue that the series altered the names of the hijackers to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to obscure their identities. The hashtag #BoycottNetflix, along with others such as #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, have trended on social media platforms. Users have claimed that these changes were made to protect the terrorists' community affiliations.

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra defended the show, stating that the hijackers used aliases among themselves and that the production team conducted extensive research. The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, depicts the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 on December 24, 1999. The aircraft was seized by five terrorists shortly after departing Kathmandu.

However, according to the statement released by Ministry of External Affairs in January 2006, the terrorists addressed each others using code names-  Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. The hijacking, which lasted eight days, ended with the release of high-profile terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar in exchange for the hostages. Then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh transported them on a special plane to Kandahar.