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For a series on hijacking, there was a lot of unexpected drama even on ground. Streaming giant Netflix on Tuesday hosted an event for its latest series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack—which has run into a national controversy—amidst the presence of at least half a dozen Mumbai police officials and equal number of bouncers.
The heavily guarded event was an invite-only gathering where cast and crew of the show was present, including filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa and Pooja Gor.
It was held in the aftermath of the controversy where a section of viewers objected to the code names used by hijackers in the series. The makers of the show, which is based on the real-life incident of the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight, used the codenames that were used by the hijackers on board – Burger, Doctor, Bhola, Shankar and Chief.
At the entry of the ballroom, at least four cops were stationed with a police van parked. The registration area handed over a band to the media, without which entry was prohibited. At one point, when this journalist was given a separate coloured band, the alert bouncers did a double check before allowing them inside the hall. Inside was a curious mix of reporters from the entertainment beat as well as general/political beat reporters. The team of the show and the streaming giant, expectedly, was prepared for some fireworks.
The event kickstarted with the host reading out the official Netflix statement on the controversy. “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 cast and crew didn’t break their silence on the controversy, but a journalist did try to aggressively question Anubhav Sinha about the I&B Ministry summons and the reason behind using the code names.
As the event came to a close, a journalist stood up and asked Sinha his question without a microphone. Even as the host tried to intervene, reminding the media that he has been instructed not take this question, the journalist pointed his question to Sinha, asking him to address the issue.
“Is this question yours? The accusation? Have you seen the show? Have you seen it? I can’t talk to you if you haven’t,” the filmmaker said and stood up with the cast for the photo opportunity.
At the event, Naseeruddin Shah spoke about the success of the show and said it signals “hope”. The veteran actor said, “Its success gives a sense of hope to us all. It would be too much of a sweeping statement to say that the audience has grown up, but the success of movies like Anubhav’s Mulk, Thappad and several others, which are unconventional, definitely gives us hope.”
In the show directed by Anubhav Sinha, many character names have been changed but the codenames of the terrorists are the same that were used in the real-life incident. The incident was heavily documented at the time with many interviews of the survivors, pilot Captain Devi Sharan Singh and other government officials, and they also recalled the same codenames in their interviews.
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