Netflix’s recent series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has become the center of a major controversy in India, leading to a wave of subscription cancellations. The series, which premiered on August 29, 2024, dramatizes the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in 1999 by Pakistan-based terrorist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The hijacking, which ended with the release of three terrorists in exchange for the passengers, is a sensitive topic in India, and the portrayal in the Netflix series has sparked significant backlash from viewers and political entities.

Controversy Over Depiction of Hijackers

The controversy primarily stems from the series’ depiction of the hijackers using Hindu pseudonyms—’Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’—which were reportedly the code names used by two of the hijackers in real life. However, many viewers have criticized Netflix for not clearly displaying the real names of the hijackers, accusing the platform of attempting to “whitewash” the crimes by presenting the terrorists with non-Muslim names. This decision has led to a perception among some viewers that the show is distorting historical facts, which has amplified calls for boycotting the streaming service under hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #BoycottBollywood on social media platforms.

Government Intervention and Netflix’s Response

The controversy has escalated to the extent that Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s content head, was summoned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on September 3, 2024. During the meeting, the government officials questioned why the series did not include captions or disclaimers clarifying the real identities of the hijackers and why the narrative portrayed the hijackers as “firm and sensitive,” while the negotiators appeared “weak and confused.” The government underscored that while it supports creative expression, it cannot allow any content to hurt national sentiments or distort historical facts.

In response to the backlash and government intervention, Netflix India has assured that future content would be created with greater sensitivity towards national sentiments and children’s sensitivities. The platform has also updated the opening disclaimer for the series to clarify the depiction of the hijackers, hoping to mitigate some of the backlash and concerns raised by viewers and authorities.

Political Reactions and Public Outcry

Political figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Amit Malviya, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell, criticized the director of the series, Anubhav Sinha, for “legitimizing” the terrorists by using non-Muslim names. He claimed that this could lead future generations to mistakenly believe that the hijacking was carried out by Hindus, further intensifying the public outrage. This controversy highlights the sensitive nature of content related to historical events in India and the challenges streaming platforms like Netflix face in navigating them.

Impact on Subscriptions and Netflix’s Future Strategy

The backlash over “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” has not only led to public outcry but also a noticeable impact on Netflix’s subscriber base in India. Many viewers, angered by the portrayal and Netflix’s handling of the sensitive subject, have canceled their subscriptions. This situation emphasizes the importance for Netflix and other streaming platforms to carefully consider cultural and historical contexts in their content to avoid such controversies in the future.

As Netflix navigates this controversy, it remains to be seen how the platform will adapt its content strategies in India to rebuild trust among its viewers and avoid similar issues moving forward.

The controversy surrounding “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” on Netflix reflects the complex interplay between creative expression, historical sensitivity, and national sentiments. While Netflix has responded with assurances for future content, the impact on its subscriber base and reputation in India could have longer-term implications for its content strategy in the region.

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