Netflix to Update Disclaimer for ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ After Government Concerns

Responding to the Indian government’s concerns, Netflix India will update the disclaimer for its series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ to include the real names of the hijackers, addressing issues of portrayal and narrative accuracy.

Key Points

• Netflix India agrees to update the disclaimer for ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ to include the real names of the hijackers.
• The decision follows concerns raised by the Indian government regarding the portrayal of Pakistani terrorists and Indian officials in the series.
• Netflix content head Monika Shergill met with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju to discuss the issues.
• The series had used aliases for the hijackers and was criticized for its sympathetic portrayal of the terrorists.
• Netflix assures future mindfulness in the representation of such sensitive historical events.

In response to concerns raised by the Indian government, Netflix India has agreed to update the opening disclaimer of its fictional series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack to include the real names of the hijackers involved in the 1999 Indian Airlines plane hijacking. The move comes after Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju summoned Netflix content head Monika Shergill for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the government’s apprehensions about the series’ portrayal of the events and characters.

The six-part series, based on the 1999 hijacking incident, had initially used aliases such as “Bhola” and “Shankar” for the hijackers, who were members of the Pakistan-backed terrorist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The lack of disclosure regarding the real names of the perpetrators and the portrayal of the hijackers in a sympathetic light raised concerns within the government.

A senior official highlighted two specific issues during the meeting. First, the absence of the real names of the hijackers in the series’ disclaimer was seen as a significant oversight. Second, the portrayal of the hijackers as resolute in their negotiations with the Indian government, contrasted with the depiction of Indian officials as indecisive, was criticized for being an inaccurate representation of the events, potentially whitewashing the role of the terrorists.

During the 30-minute meeting, Ms. Shergill acknowledged the government’s concerns and assured officials that corrective measures would be taken. She explained that the series was based on the book Flight Into Fear, co-authored by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, which details the hijacking. However, she admitted that the necessary disclosures were not adequately presented and promised that Netflix would be more mindful of such issues in future projects.

Following the meeting, Ms. Shergill released a statement to the media, stating: “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. 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.”

The updated disclaimer is set to be displayed starting Wednesday, addressing the concerns about the series’ narrative and ensuring that viewers are informed about the true identities of the hijackers involved in the historical incident. This move underscores the importance of accuracy and sensitivity in portraying real-life events, particularly those with significant historical and political implications.