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| "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack" on Netflix marks Anubhav Sinha's first venture into OTT direction. |
Another television series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” Online Streaming on Netflix is first web series of Anubhav Sinha as director. Starring Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, and Pankaj Kapur, the series is based on the real-life events mentioned in the book *Flight Into Fear* by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury which is about the 1999 Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 which was hijacked by terrorist organisation which is linked with Al-Qaeda and Taliban.
The series gives a depiction of the whole seven days’ drama including the hijacker’s demands, the tortured passengers, and hesitant Indian government response. Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai, Kathmandu and Kandahar are shown in this very moment, the tension and confusion as the hijackers and hostages switched planes Sinha manages to capture this well.
The series flips over between the cockpit and the cramped compartment of the hijacked plane, on the one side and the political strategies and discussions that take place in the corridors of power, New Delhi on the other side. ,It shows the moral issues dealing with the politicians and the tough bargaining with the terrorists. Capt. Devi Sharan is well played by Vijay Varma whereas Government officials who are under pressure to make such decisions are portrayed heroically by Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur.
The plot of “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is well made and accompanied by effective visuals and montage; it tries to focus on the people aspect of the operation. The pacing though is uneven and the show nevertheless manages to depict one of India’s major hijacking incidents in all its serious glory.
