IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Review: Plot: On December 24, 1999, a flight from Kathmandu to Delhi is hijacked by Pakistani terrorists. The flight, IC 814, lands at three different locations before finally landing in Taliban-controlled Kandahar, Afghanistan. Here, the terrorists engage in tense negotiations with Indian agents, demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades in India. The series, created and directed by Anubhav Sinha, recounts the gripping events that unfolded over eight harrowing days, tracing the steps taken by all involved in one of the most complex hostage situations in Indian history.

Creator: Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava.
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Star Cast: Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Amrita Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, Rajiv Thakur, and ensemble.
Episode Count: 6 episodes around 45 minutes each. 

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Review: Analysis

Heroic tales where a protagonist saves the world moments before disaster have, in some ways, run their course. These stories of larger-than-life figures taking on the impossible have reached a saturation point, and maybe it’s time for a different kind of narrative to fill the void. That void could be filled by stories where there is no central hero, only ordinary people trying to survive in extraordinary circumstances. These are stories where death looms over everyone involved, and survival is the only victory. Such stories do not need a hero who will take a bullet for the masses and emerge victorious while the crowd cheers. But can the absence of such a character still create an engaging and entertaining show? Anubhav Sinha answers this question with his latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which premieres on Netflix today.

Sinha and his research team have done an impressive job of compiling material from the archives, presenting it in a way that feels both informative and captivating. However, before diving into the series, I would recommend reading up on the actual case to better understand the broader context. Learning about how close this incident was to the Kargil War in terms of timeline and how it shifted the political landscape will add depth to your viewing experience. The hijacking incident was a diplomatic battle fought mostly through words, not weapons. Anubhav Sinha approaches the story of IC 814 with this in mind, delivering a show that is less about combat and more about the strategic and emotional battles that took place during those eight agonizing days.

The series, created by Anubhav Sinha (who also directs) and co-written with Trishant Srivastava, draws from the work of Adrian Levy, with Nikhil Ravi contributing additional story and screenplay elements. What makes IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack stand out is its decision to sidestep traditional heroism. This is not a story about one man or woman saving the day. Instead, it highlights the collective efforts of many individuals, each fighting to survive and protect the 155 civilian lives at stake. 

The writing doesn’t vilify any one nation or elevate another above the rest. There is no room for over-the-top patriotic speeches or demonizing others based on their appearance or clothing. In an era where films are increasingly competing to outdo one another in displays of nationalism, IC 814 feels refreshingly grounded. It is a story about people on opposite sides of a fence, both fighting for what they believe is right, with human lives hanging in the balance.

Sinha opts for a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the narrative, jumping straight into the story from the outset. The screenplay is one of those rare examples where the lack of detailed background on key characters doesn’t feel like a flaw. Instead, the focus remains on the central plot, with all the tension centered around the hijacking itself. The first 20 minutes of the pilot episode are devoted to the buildup of the hijack, with little dialogue from the main characters. This cinematic choice creates an immediate sense of suspense, drawing the viewer into the crisis and making them eager to see how the situation will unfold.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack employs a documentary-like style, blending real-life footage with the dramatized events. Sinha and his team take a textbook-like approach to the story, narrating the key moments with a voiceover that runs alongside the archival footage. The real artistry here lies in how seamlessly this footage is integrated into the narrative. The balance between the archival material and the recreated scenes is so well-executed that at times, the two blend into one another. 

It’s reminiscent of Narcos, where real-life footage would often break into the dramatized scenes and blend seamlessly back into the narrative. The recreation of certain key moments in IC 814 is so meticulous that the art department deserves high praise. This attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the production, from the way the characters look to the way the headlines from actual newspaper articles of the time are replicated.

Vijay Varma, who plays the pilot at the center of the hijack, delivers a standout performance. Unlike the typical larger-than-life hero, his character is portrayed as vulnerable, scared, and simply trying to survive. He is a man who wants to see his daughters again but is also bound by his duty and a terrorist with a gun to his head. There is a mix of fear and determination in his eyes, and capturing this balance in a performance is no easy feat. Yet, Varma does it with precision, making his character one of the most memorable in the series.

Dia Mirza’s portrayal of a pivotal character is equally powerful. Her screen presence is magnetic, and she brings a depth to her role that leaves a lasting impact. Amrita Puri, who plays her colleague, is a force to be reckoned with. Together, they depict a newsroom battle that is as intense as the one happening on the plane. However, this side of the story could have used more attention and screen time. It feels almost overlooked when the narrative shifts away from the newsroom, leaving the characters to move on to their next breaking story just off-screen. Manoj Pahwa brings a touch of humor to the show, while also being perfectly on point in his role. Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Kumud Mishra, and Arvind Swamy, as always, deliver flawless performances, with each note played to perfection.

In many ways, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack gets almost everything right. From its nuanced politics to its attention to detail in both the writing and visuals, the show excels across the board. However, one aspect that feels slightly off is the way the episodes are structured. The cuts between episodes can feel abrupt, giving the impression that the show was originally conceived as a film and later divided into six parts. Despite this, the final episode provides a strong conclusion, emphasizing a battle of wits over brute force. The decision to negotiate with the terrorists rather than engage in a full-blown combat is portrayed with remarkable restraint. Even though the decision to release three terrorists remains a topic of debate to this day, the series doesn’t attempt to provide a definitive answer but rather lets the events speak for themselves.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: Final Verdict

Anubhav Sinha raises the bar for stories inspired by real-life tragedies with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. This is a series that refuses to be driven by hatred for a particular community or country. Instead, it looks at individuals caught in a tragic situation, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual jingoistic narratives. IC 814 is a story about people on both sides of a crisis, and it is one of the most nuanced and impactful portrayals of a real-life event in recent Indian cinema.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack releases on Netflix in August 29. Stay tuned to Mobile Masala for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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