On December 31, 1999, as the world prepared to usher in the new millennium and faced the anxieties of Y2K, Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh found himself on an urgent mission to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Aboard his aircraft were three highly-dreaded terrorists who had been released from Indian prisons just hours earlier. This extraordinary release was part of a deal to secure the safety of 176 passengers and crew members from the Indian Airlines flight IC 814, which had been hijacked eight days prior shortly after departing from Kathmandu.
The events leading up to the hijacking of IC 814 and the subsequent capitulation of the Indian government to the hijackers’ demands have long been subjects of debate and scrutiny. Conversations around the ordeal often resemble the fable of blind men describing an elephant, each providing a different perspective but none capturing the whole truth. This week, writer-director Anubhav Sinha embarks on a cinematic journey to dissect this historic episode with his socio-political acumen, employing contemporary technology to present a nuanced narrative of the longest hijacking incident in Indian aviation history.
Framed as a fictional series inspired by real events, Sinha’s production aims to keep viewers engaged while presenting a balanced perspective. Rooted in “Flight Into Fear,” Captain Devi Sharan’s memoir, the series transcends the heroism of the brave pilot to offer a broader political and social commentary. It showcases the inertia in Amritsar’s response, the chilling revelation of RDX on board, and the intricate geopolitics of the post-Pokhran and post-Kargil War era. Through these layers, Sinha endeavors to paint a vivid tableau of a nation grappling with a multifaceted crisis.
The series seamlessly incorporates varied viewpoints without simplifying the narrative for the audience. For India, the stakes involved 200 lives and its global reputation as a resilient state. Conversely, for Masood Azhar, a high-profile terrorist among those freed, it symbolized a battle where his ideological view of Afghanistan and Palestine remained imprisoned. Meanwhile, the terrified hostages clung to the hope of reuniting with their families before the dawn of the new millennium. The series balances these perspectives and critiques the prevalent hypocrisy and bigotry, often with a biting wit that both amuses and pricks the conscience.
Anubhav Sinha is lauded for his ability to blend realism with compelling drama, a talent previously evident in films such as “Article 15” and “Anek.” With a powerhouse ensemble cast and rich historical material, he presents a refined exploration of Indian democracy during the coalition era. The series features clipped dialogues, pragmatic nationalism, internal conflicts, and diplomatic maneuvers that offer authenticity. It captures the nuanced differences in how various government officials and security agencies responded to the crisis, illustrating how hierarchical positions and social backgrounds influenced their actions. Sinha underscores the difference between mere job performance and genuine duty, emphasizing that finger-pointing in crises is counterproductive. He highlights the complexity of geopolitics, noting how India’s internal voices must harmonize for a common cause, and unpacks the multi-layered betrayals and alliances in the global arena.
Audiences will find much to ponder and chuckle about, with deeper meanings embedded in seemingly casual conversations.
. For instance, a debate over coffee and tea speaks to broader societal issues, and Captain Sharan’s act of cleaning the aircraft’s toilet attains symbolic weight as an act of duty. The discomfort of Indian officials encountering squat toilets in Taliban-run Afghanistan serves as a metaphorical twist that captures the clash of cultures.
While the series charts a robust procedural journey, Sinha doesn’t abandon the human drama and sardonic humor that define his storytelling. He resists exploiting the tragic situation for excessive emotional impact, complemented by stellar VFX that help recreate the era. The skillful integration of archival footage and CGI delivers an immersive viewing experience. The adept camerawork of Ewan Mulligan and Ravi Kiran Ayyagari maintains the narrative’s grip, keeping audience curiosity alive. Despite familiar hijack tropes in Hindi cinema, this series surprises with its unique blend of emotion and action.
Vijay Varma shines in his role as Captain Sharan Dev, embodying resilience and hope amidst harrowing circumstances. Constrained physically within the aircraft, Varma masterfully conveys a range of emotions through his expressions, delivering a heroic performance without overt display. His portrayal serves as the heartbeat of the series.
Complementing Vijay’s central performance, Anubhav Sinha assembles a robust ensemble of skilled actors. Pankaj Kapoor stands out as Foreign Minister Vijaybhan Singh, who orchestrates the government’s diplomatic efforts. Manoj Pahwa steals the show as Mukul Mohan, an intelligence official whose negotiation tactics bring humor and aggression to the series. Pahwa’s dynamic exchanges with Arvind Swamy, who plays a credible MEA official, create some of the series’ most memorable moments. Alongside Pahwa and Kapoor, actors Kumud Mishra, Naseeruddin Shah, Kanwaljeet Singh, Aditya Srivastav, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya contribute to an array of compelling scenes. The female actors, particularly Patralekhaa and Additi Gupta, also deliver notable performances.
However, the series does have its shortcomings. Despite drawing extensively from real events, it avoids delving into the roles of the Home Minister and other pivotal figures in the Crisis Management Group, keeping the focus mainly on the Foreign Minister. The dramatization and creative liberties taken with names of Indian politicians and bureaucrats contrast sharply with the retention or minor alteration of the real names of terrorists and Taliban leaders. Moreover, comedian Rajeev Thakur, cast as the chief hijacker, falls short of creating the intended sense of menace, impacting the overall tension.
Despite certain flaws, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” offers a thoughtfully crafted, engaging narrative. The series, now streaming on Netflix, readdresses a significant historical event with a blend of fact, fiction, human drama, and political intrigue that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Indian cinema / Hindi cinema
