The head of Netflix India, Monika Shergill, is scheduled to meet with the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to discuss issues related to a web series based on the Hijacking of IC-814. The meeting is taking place at Shastri Bhawan, and government sources have expressed concerns about the portrayal of sensitive topics in the series. The government is taking the matter seriously and has summoned the Netflix team to address the controversy.
Sources reveal that the Netflix team has brought research documents and footage to support their perspective that the series is based on publicly available resources, including information from books and government statements. The series titled ‘IC-814- The Kandahar Hijack’ has sparked a backlash on social media due to its depiction of the hijackers. Additionally, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the series, alleging that it distorts the identities of the real hijackers.
The PIL claims that the series incorrectly assigns Hindu names to the terrorists involved in the hijacking, which has raised concerns among various groups. BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the series for legitimizing the criminal intent of the hijackers by giving them non-Muslim names. He expressed fear that such misrepresentation could lead to a distorted version of history, with people falsely believing that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking of IC-814.
Following the controversy, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed the intervention of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in addressing the issue. The series ‘IC-814 Hijack Drama’ is created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Shrivastava, featuring a star-studded cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa, and Dia Mirza. The six-episode series is based on the hijacking incident that occurred on December 24, 1999, involving an Indian Airlines flight enroute to Delhi from Kathmandu.
The meeting between Netflix India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting aims to resolve the controversies surrounding the portrayal of sensitive events in the web series. The government expects content creators to be mindful of cultural sensitivities and historical accuracy when depicting real-life incidents. The outcome of the meeting may influence the future production and release of similar content on OTT platforms in India, emphasizing the importance of responsible storytelling and respectful portrayal of events that have had a significant impact on the nation.
