The Kandahar Hijack is a Netflix series depicting the longest hijacking in Indian aviation history. The show is set in 1999 and recounts the gripping events when an Indian Airlines flight was overtaken by five hijackers and rerouted through multiple countries before landing in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The seven-day ordeal triggered an international political crisis and is explored through a new six-episode series directed by Anubhav Sinha, based on the book Flight into Fear: A Captain’s Story.
Cast:
- Vijay Varma (Gully Boy) as Captain Sharan Dev
- Pankaj Kapur (Mausam) as Vijaybhan Singh, the Minister of External Affairs
- Naseeruddin Shah (Ishqiya) as Vinay Kaul, the Cabinet Secretary of India
- Arvind Swamy (Thani Oruvan) as DRS, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs
- Kumud Mishra (Thappad) as Ranjan Mishra, Joint Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing
- Manoj Pahwa (Article 15) as Mukul Mohan, Director at the Intelligence Bureau
Plot Summary: The series begins with Indian Airlines flight IC 814 departing from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, with plans to land in Delhi. The flight, however, is hijacked by five armed men shortly after takeoff. The series meticulously covers the events of the seven-day hijacking, detailing the chaotic in-flight situation and the intense negotiations by government officials.
The plane, originally bound for Delhi, made unexpected stops in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. During this period, the hijackers demanded the release of certain prisoners, creating a tense diplomatic standoff.
Historical Context: On December 24, 1999, IC 814, carrying over 175 passengers, was hijacked by five masked men from the Islamist terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The aircraft was rerouted through several countries and made several unscheduled landings, including in Amritsar and Lahore, where authorities struggled to manage the crisis. The final destination was Kandahar, where the hijackers demanded the release of specific militants in exchange for the hostages. Negotiations led to the release of all hostages on December 31, 1999, after which the terrorists were driven to Pakistan.
Adaptation and Production: The series is adapted from Flight into Fear: A Captain’s Story by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury. Director Anubhav Sinha and writer Trishant Srivastava worked closely with those involved in the rescue mission and the passengers to bring a comprehensive portrayal of the events.
Release Information: IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is streaming on Netflix since August 29.
The series not only revisits a significant historical event but also sheds light on the diplomatic and tactical challenges faced during the hijacking. The cast and crew aim to provide a deeper understanding of the events through a dramatic retelling of this harrowing episode in aviation history.
