IC 814: A Gripping Retelling

Anubhav Sinha’s latest limited series on the Kandahar Hijack has become the center of attention, with its intense portrayal of the real-life 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The series features an exceptional cast, including Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Arvind Swami, Dia Mirza, Sushant Singh, Vijay Varma, Kumud Mishra, Yashpal Sharma, and Kanwaljit Singh. Each actor delivers a powerful performance, with Sinha ensuring every character is given enough screen time to make a lasting impact.

The series is marked by its compelling cinematography, capturing the raw emotions of the passengers and their families during the harrowing seven-day ordeal. Sinha’s decision to integrate stock footage with dramatized scenes adds a layer of authenticity, making the narrative more immersive. The dialogue is sharp and resonant, with moments that linger long after the credits roll.

One such moment occurs early on when the Minister of External Affairs is greeted with congratulations from his colleagues on the birth of his granddaughter before shifting to the gravity of the hijacking—a subtle yet biting commentary on the workings of Indian bureaucracy.

The series doesn’t shy away from questioning the efficiency of the bureaucratic system. The final exchange between Mukul Mohan, who says, “We fought,” and DRS, who pointedly asks, “Did we?” leaves viewers contemplating the unresolved issues of that traumatic event. This sentiment continues to resonate in the collective memory of the nation.

Overall, Sinha’s series is a powerful and thought-provoking retelling of a dark chapter in Indian history, brought to life by a stellar ensemble cast and meticulous direction.