IC814: The Kandahar Hijack Teaser Unveiled: Netflix Announces Release Date. Netflix India has released the teaser for its highly anticipated series. IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, a drama thriller based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian Airlines Airbus in late 1999. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series is set to premiere on August 29, 2024.
Star-Studded Cast Brings True Story to Life
The series features a stellar cast, including Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, and Naseeruddin Shah. Other notable actors include Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, and Patralekha. Together, they bring to life the harrowing events that unfolded during the hijacking.
A Harrowing Tale of Survival and Diplomacy: IC814: The Kandahar Hijack recounts the dramatic hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814. Which was seized shortly after departing from Kathmandu. The aircraft, carrying around 188 passengers, was held hostage for seven days. Making it the longest hijacking in Indian aviation history. The plane’s journey took it from Kathmandu to Amritsar, then to Lahore for refueling, before heading to Dubai and finally reaching Taliban-controlled Kandahar. The passengers were eventually released on December 31, 2000.
Inside the Hijacking and Negotiations
The series delves into the intricate details of the hijacking and the intense negotiations that followed. Among the three terrorists released in exchange for the hostages was Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Masood Azhar. The then Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, personally traveled to Kandahar with the terrorists, where they were handed over to the Afghan Taliban.
Director’s Insight
At a Netflix event, director Anubhav Sinha shared his thoughts on the series: “The plane was 30,000 feet above the ground. Controlled by armed and dangerous individuals whose demands were unknown. It was uncertain whether their demands could be met to ensure the passengers’ safety or what lengths people on the ground would go to in order to negotiate a safe resolution.”
Sinha emphasized the challenges faced both inside the aircraft and beyond geographical boundaries. As the plane landed in four different countries over a single night. He described IC814: The Kandahar Hijack as a realistic portrayal of the 1999 hijacking. Capturing the events within the aircraft, the War Room in Delhi, and the Negotiation Station in Kandahar. According to Sinha, the series tells the story of how unexpected heroes emerged from an unprecedented crisis during those seven days of chaos, skill, and diplomacy.