Bombshell Controversy: Centre Summons Netflix Chief Over ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ Saga
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, has summoned Netflix’s content head to Delhi on September 2 following an online uproar over the series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” India Today reported. The controversy stems from allegations that the series has altered the names of two hijackers to Hindu names, sparking significant social media backlash.
“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, a real-life incident where hundreds of passengers endured a terrifying ordeal as their flight was diverted multiple times before landing in Taliban-controlled Kandahar, Afghanistan.
In the series, the hijackers are referred to by the codenames Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. The use of the names Bhola and Shankar has garnered criticism, with detractors accusing the filmmakers of deliberately using Hindu names, thereby distorting historical facts and potentially inciting religious tensions.
The contentious issue has led to a heated online debate, with critics specifically targeting the series’ director, Anubhav Sinha, for alleged fact distortion. The web series is adapted from the book “Flight into Fear: The Captain’s Story,” co-authored by journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan, the captain of the hijacked flight.
Amid the backlash, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” faces intense scrutiny from both viewers and critics, who are questioning the portrayal of one of India’s most alarming aviation crises. The Ministry’s decision to summon Netflix’s content head marks a significant intervention, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the representation of historical events in media.
As the debate continues, the incident underscores the complex interplay between creative expression and historical accuracy, and the responsibilities of content creators in navigating this delicate balance.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/centre-summons-netflix-head-over-ic-814-the-kandahar-hijack-controversy-1084139-2024-09-02?utm_source=rssfeed
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