Netflix Agreed To Include Real Names Of Hijackers In IC814 Series

Netflix's latest series, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, has faced severe backlash for using Hindu names, "Shankar" and "Bhola," for the hijackers, leading to public outrage and government intervention. The streaming giant has taken significant action, announcing that the real and code names of the hijackers will be updated in the show's disclaimer. This decision came after a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who had summoned Netflix India's Content Head, Monika Shergill.

The web series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, premiered on Netflix on August 29, 2023, and has been the subject of heated debate on social media. Critics argued that the use of Hindu names for the terrorists was inappropriate and offensive. The controversy escalated to the point where the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting intervened, summoning Netflix India to explain the choice of names.

Following the government meeting, Netflix agreed to update the series with both the real and code names of the hijackers. The company emphasized their commitment to making necessary changes to the series and ensuring that future content will be sensitive to the sentiments of the audience. The update to the series is expected to address the concerns of those who felt that the original portrayal was disrespectful to Hindu sentiments.

With this move, Netflix aims to mitigate the backlash and ensure that the series can be viewed without further controversy. The company has reassured the government that they are willing to make adjustments to address any objections raised, demonstrating their commitment to responsible content creation. The controversy surrounding IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and accuracy in storytelling, particularly when depicting real-life events.