Anubhav Sinha’s latest Netflix series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has stirred up a major controversy online, leading to trending hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #BoycottBollywood. The show, which dramatizes the actual 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, has come under fire from fans for allegedly falsifying information.
But what exactly has sparked this outrage?
The main cause of controversy is the way the hijackers are portrayed in the series. The terrorists Ibrahim, Shahid, and Sunny were identified as those involved in the actual event. However, these names have been replaced in the series with Shankar and Bhola, which are more connected to Hindu identities. Many viewers have accused the creators of “whitewashing” the terrorists’ identities and manipulating history as a result of this modification.
Considering that the show is based on a true story, critics argue that these changes might mislead viewers and convey an incorrect message. Those who believe Bollywood does not take its responsibilities seriously while depicting historical events are furious because of the debate. Many people think that a program should seek to be as realistic as possible, especially when it comes to such sensitive topics, especially if it purports to be based on a true story.
Some people think that Bollywood unfairly shows Hindu characters in a bad way, and this has made the #BoycottBollywood movement even stronger. Many feel upset with how the industry tells stories.
There’s also an argument over whether Bollywood can still call a narrative ‘genuine’ if it has undergone such major alterations. The decision to rename Ibrahim and Shahid as Shankar and Bhola is seen by many as both a clever move and a grave error that damages the series’ credibility.
As the debate continues, it raises important questions about the role of filmmakers in representing historical events. Should artistic freedom allow for such changes, or does it come with a responsibility to present the truth as accurately as possible?
