Netflix India unveils gripping trailer for ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’
A historical hijack revisited
Netflix India has released the first trailer for its highly anticipated series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. This series delves into the harrowing events of December 1999, when an Indian Airlines flight was hijacked by militants during its journey from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The flight’s ordeal included multiple landings in Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai, and finally Kandahar, Afghanistan, stretching over a tense seven-day period.
A multifaceted narrative
Adapted from the book “Flight Into Fear” by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, the series offers a comprehensive look at the crisis from various perspectives. It captures the intense negotiations in Delhi’s War Room, the high-stakes diplomacy in Taliban-controlled Kandahar, and the terrifying experiences of the passengers and crew aboard the hijacked aircraft.
Stellar ensemble cast
The series features an impressive ensemble cast, including:
- Vijay Varma from “Dahaad”
- Patralekhaa from “Aar Ya Paar”
- Pankaj Kapur from “Bheed”
- Naseeruddin Shah from “Minimum”
- Arvind Swami from “Custody”
- Dia Mirza from “Bheed”
- Amrita Puri from “Neeyat”
- Anupam Tripathi from “Squid Game”
- Kumud Mishra from “Tiger 3”
- Manoj Pahwa from “Bawaal”
- Kanwaljeet Singh from “Mrs”
- Dibyendu Bhattacharya from “Poacher”
- Sushant Singh from “The Freelancer”
- Aditya Srivastava from “Bhakshak”
- Rajeev Thakur
- Yashpal Sharma from “Chandu Champion”
Behind the scenes
The series is the brainchild of Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava, with Sinha also taking on the role of director. The story is crafted by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava. Produced by Matchbox Shots and Benaras Mediaworks, the series boasts Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray as producers.
Sinha, known for his films that tackle social and political issues such as “Bheed” (2023), “Anek” (2022), “Article 15” (2019), and “Mulk” (2018), returns to series television after a 27-year hiatus. His last work in this format was on DD Metro’s “Sea Hawks.”
A director’s perspective
Reflecting on the project, Sinha shared, “Netflix and Matchbox Shots made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, to tell the story of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. Trishant, the writer, and I dived in thinking most of the information is available online. Documentaries and vlogs have been made, articles have been written, so we wanted to sink our teeth deeper for a more succulent bite.”
He added, “We met officials engaged in running the rescue mission from Delhi, and passengers and the crew told us the story inside the aircraft. Adrian Levy, an eminent journalist, author, and filmmaker from London came on board and an all-new international canvas unfolded before us. What went on across those seven days turned out to be a compelling story that cuts through chilling and thrilling tactical and diplomatic maneuvers that had to be told. The viewers must know this story that has never been told inside out before with a cast I don’t know if I can put together again.”
Production insights
Sanjay Routray of Matchbox Shots, the production company behind recent Netflix India successes like “Monica, O My Darling” and “Scoop,” expressed confidence in the series. “With Anubhav Sinha’s masterful direction and Netflix’s global reach, we are confident that the series will move viewers across the world to appreciate the bravery and resilience of the Indians who showed immense courage during the Kandahar hijack.”
A must-watch series
Monika Shergill, VP of content at Netflix India, emphasized the emotional depth of the series. “The series doesn’t just recount the events; it immerses you in the emotional whirlwind of a nation gripped by fear, hope, and desperation. The powerful storytelling, combined with stunning visual effects and heart-stopping performances by a stellar cast, makes this a must-watch.”
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is set to stream from August 29.
Watch the trailer here.