Netflix India announced on Tuesday that it has updated the opening disclaimer for its latest series, "IC814: The Kandahar Hijack," which has sparked controversy over the depiction of the hijackers' code names. According to Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content at Netflix India, the updated disclaimer now includes both the real and code names of the hijackers for clarity.

"For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers," Shergill stated. She further explained, "The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of storytelling - and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation."

Shergill’s comments came after her meeting with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi. This meeting was prompted by concerns raised over the use of Hindu code names for the hijackers and the alleged portrayal of a humane side to some of them.

The series has sparked a storm on social media over the names of the terrorists used in the show.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has summoned Netflix India's content head on Tuesday following a controversy surrounding the 'IC 814' web series, as reported by ANI, citing sources.

The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, features a star-studded cast including Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, and Dia Mirza. It recounts the true story of the December 1999 hijacking and is inspired by real events, including content from the book 'Flight into Fear' by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.

The controversy surrounding the series has led to social media backlash, with hashtags such as #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 trending online. Critics allege that the series changed the hijackers' names to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to allegedly shield the identity of terrorists from a specific community. However, some survivors of the hijacking and journalists have defended the series, stating that the hijackers indeed used the code names depicted.

The code names, or aliases, used by the hijackers have been publicly known since the incident, including in an official statement from the Union Home Ministry issued on January 6, 2000.

The Ministry's decision to summon Netflix India's content head underscores the sensitivity surrounding the portrayal of historical events and the importance of accurate representation in media.

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