Netflix is facing criticism in India following the release of a new web series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by renowned filmmaker Anubhav Sinha. The series, based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, has sparked controversy for its portrayal of the hijackers’ names.

The real-life hijackers, whose names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, and Sunny Ahmed Qazi, were shown with Hindu names like Bhola and Shankar in the series.

Critics, including BJP leader Amit Malviya, have accused the filmmakers of distorting historical facts, creating the impression that the hijackers were Hindus.

The controversy has ignited debates about historical accuracy in media, with some arguing that the series misrepresents a sensitive chapter in India’s history.

However, a statement from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in 2000 confirmed that the hijackers had used such aliases during the incident. In response to the backlash, Netflix updated the series’ disclaimer to include both the hijackers’ real and code names.

The debate has raised broader questions about the portrayal of real-life events in entertainment and the impact of such controversies on future content creation in India.