Premium

I&B ministry summons Netflix content head over IC 814 web series controversy

In the Anubhav Sinha directorial, the five hijackers of the Delhi-bound flight from Kathmandu are referred to as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar

Netflix head summoned by Union Government for IC 814 row

Netflix’s latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, based on the 1999 hijack of the Indian aircraft IC 814 by five terrorists, is in the eye of the storm. According to ANI, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the Netflix content head Monika Shergill after social media users accused the makers of the web series of deliberately changing the names of the hijackers to “Bhola” and “Shankar”.

In the Anubhav Sinha directorial, the five hijackers of the Delhi-bound flight from Kathmandu are referred to as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar. In fact, it is in accordance with the investigation reports, and the book, Flight into Fear: The Captain’s story’ written by Srinjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan, the captain of the flight. However, sections of the media found the naming of the hijackers to be insensitive and misrepresentation of the truth

ALSO READ: IC 814: Captain Devi Sharan told jokes to hijacker named Burger, who ‘won the hearts’ of hostages by singing songs

Story continues below this ad

Social media has been abuzz with calls for the boycott of the streamer and the show, and this went on despite the casting director Mukesh Chhabra clarifying that there were just codenames. But the voices for a boycott grew louder, especially with BJP’s Amit Malviya tearing into the makers’ intention of not mentioning the names of the hijackers anywhere in the series.

Netflix Content Head has been summoned tomorrow by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the ‘IC814’ web series content row: Sources

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

While the government’s move is being lauded by supporters of the boycott movement, many are questioning the choice of creative freedom in India.

Also read | IC 814: Captain Devi Sharan told jokes to hijacker named Burger, who ‘won the hearts’ of hostages by singing songs

With the controversy refusing to die down, and people vehemently arguing with each other on either side of the political spectrum, it will be interesting to see what the Government would do after talking with the Netflix head. Will there be just a rap on the knuckles, a complete ban, or moving past this to other things will be known on Wednesday after the reported meeting.

The series stars Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah and Arvind Swamy in pivotal roles.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

CRPF Bus Accident News: At least three CRPF jawans were killed in the accident

3 CRPF jawans killed, several injured after vehicle falls into gorge in J&K’s Udhampur

India35 min ago

Three jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed and many others were injured after a vehicle carrying them had an accident and fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Thursday. According to official sources, the ill-fated vehicle was plying on the Kandva–Basantgarh road when it plunged into a deep gorge.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment Dhadak 2: Shazia Iqbal destroys ancient Bollywood Dharma in the best Karan Johar production since Jigra