Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is poised to make a significant impact on the OTT landscape with his highly anticipated debut series, **‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.’** Scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 29, this series promises to bring to life one of the most intense and high-stakes incidents in recent history. The series is based on the infamous 1999 hijacking of an Indian aircraft by Pakistani militants, a crisis that captured global attention and tested international diplomatic relations.
The teaser for the series opens with a seemingly routine scene: Indian passengers boarding a flight at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, with their sights set on Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Vijay Varma stars as the pilot, Sharan Dev, who faces a terrifying ordeal when the plane is hijacked by five masked militants. The militants, armed and ruthless, take control of the aircraft, subjecting the crew and passengers to extreme fear and violence, and assaulting the air hostess, which escalates the tension and chaos on board.
The series features a robust ensemble cast that includes the venerable Pankaj Kapur, the ever-talented Dia Mirza, the versatile Manoj Pahwa, and the legendary Naseeruddin Shah. These actors will portray key figures, including Indian government officials who are deeply involved in managing the crisis and negotiating for the safe release of the hostages.
As the plot unfolds, the hijackers reroute the aircraft to Kandahar, Afghanistan, a region under Taliban control at the time. The series aims to capture the gravity of the situation as the passengers and crew endure a prolonged and perilous hostage scenario. The hijacking of the IC-814 was a dramatic episode involving 176 passengers, who were held captive for seven days. The crisis was reportedly orchestrated with support from Pakistan's military intelligence agency, ISI, adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the already dire situation.
‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ is set to offer an in-depth and gripping portrayal of this historic incident, blending intense drama with real-life events. The series promises to deliver a powerful narrative, shedding light on the extraordinary resilience of those involved and the complex diplomatic efforts undertaken to resolve the crisis. Fans of historical drama and thriller genres can look forward to a compelling and immersive viewing experience when the series debuts later this month.
