IC 814 Series Criticized for Character Names

The Netflix series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack', directed by Anubhav Sinha, has faced significant backlash for altering the names of the hijackers involved in the 1999 incident to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola'. Critics on social media, using hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #BoycottBollywood, argue that these changes serve to obscure the true identities of the terrorists, who were part of a Pakistan-based group. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra defended the series, stating that the hijackers used nicknames for each other and that thorough research was conducted. However, many users accused the series of 'deliberate distortion of facts' and 'propaganda', expressing concerns that it downplays the severity of terrorism and misrepresents historical events. Some users noted that while 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' were indeed used as codenames, the show failed to clarify this to viewers, leading to accusations of whitewashing. The series premiered on August 29 and features an ensemble cast, including Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, and Dia Mirza.