Netflix Reveals Star-Studded Cast For 1999 Kandahar Hijack Series

Mumbai, Feb 29 (PTI) - Netflix is set to release a series on the harrowing hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC 814, which occurred on December 24, 1999. The series, titled "IC 814: The Kandhar Hijack," is being brought to life under the creative and directorial guidance of Anubhav Sinha. The ensemble cast includes notable names such as Vijay Varma, Patralekha, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Amrita Puri, and Anupam Tripathi.

The narrative of the series is centered around the distressing events of December 24, 1999, when Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi and subsequently taken to Kandahar. The ordeal lasted for seven days, during which the crew and passengers endured immense suffering while officials endeavored to secure their safe return. Sinha emphasized the importance of authenticity in depicting the complex story. He engaged in extensive research and interactions with officers, passengers, and the pilot to ensure a factual yet compelling portrayal.

At the Next on Netflix event, Sinha shared insights into the creation process of the series. He highlighted the challenges of making the series factually accurate while maintaining dramatic engagement. Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, acknowledged the extended production period of two years, despite an initial promise of eight months. She described the show as a thrilling account of what is considered the longest hijacking in aviation history.

Additional cast members such as Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Pooja Gor, Kanwaljit Singh, Aditya Srivastava, Sushant Singh, and Yashpal Sharma further enrich the series' lineup. "IC 814: The Kandhar Hijack" aims to provide viewers with a detailed and dramatic recounting of an event that has left a lasting impact on those directly involved and the broader public consciousness.