The Kandahar Hijack’ Unveils Trailer

Netflix India has unveiled the first trailer for its upcoming series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.”

The titular hijack occurred in December 1999 when an Indian Airlines flight was commandeered by militants en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The flight made multiple landings including at Amritsar, India, Lahore, Pakistan, Dubai and Kandahar, Afghanistan. The crisis lasted seven days.

The drama, adapted from the book “Flight Into Fear” by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, explores the crisis from multiple angles, and offers a multifaceted look at the incident, showcasing the tense negotiations in Delhi’s War Room, the high-stakes diplomacy at Taliban-controlled Kandahar, and the terrifying ordeal faced by passengers and crew aboard the hijacked aircraft.

The series boasts an ensemble cast including Vijay Varma (“Dahaad”), Patralekhaa (“Aar Ya Paar”), veterans Pankaj Kapur (“Bheed”) and Naseeruddin Shah (“Minimum”), Arvind Swami (“Custody”), Dia Mirza (“Bheed”), Amrita Puri (“Neeyat”), Anupam Tripathi (“Squid Game”), Kumud Mishra (“Tiger 3”), Manoj Pahwa (“Bawaal”), Kanwaljeet Singh (“Mrs”), Dibyendu Bhattacharya (“Poacher”), Sushant Singh (“The Freelancer”), Aditya Srivastava (“Bhakshak”), Rajeev Thakur and Yashpal Sharma (“Chandu Champion”).

The series is created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava (“Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga”), with Sinha directing. The story is by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava. It is produced by Matchbox Shots and Benaras Mediaworks, with Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray as producers.

Sinha’s films that tackle social and political issues include “Bheed” (2023), “Anek” (2022), “Article 15” (2019) and “Mulk” (2018). He returns to series television after a 27-year hiatus, following his work on DD Metro’s “Sea Hawks.”

“Netflix and Matchbox Shots made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, to tell the story of ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,’” Sinha said. “Trishant, the writer, and I dived in thinking most of the information is available online. Documentaries and vlogs have been made, articles have been written, so we wanted to sink our teeth deeper for a more succulent bite.”

“We met officials engaged in running the rescue mission from Delhi, and passengers and the crew told us the story inside the aircraft. Adrian Levy, an eminent journalist, author and filmmaker from London came on board and an all-new international canvas unfolded before us,” Sinha added. “What went on across those seven days turned out to be a compelling story that cuts through chilling and thrilling tactical and diplomatic manoeuvres that had to be told. The viewers must know this story that has never been told inside out before with a cast I don’t know if I can put together again.”

Sanjay Routray of Matchbox Shots, the production company that was also behind recent Netflix India successes “Monica, O My Darling” and “Scoop,” added: “With Anubhav Sinha’s masterful direction and Netflix’s global reach, we are confident that the series will move viewers across the world to appreciate the bravery and resilience of the Indians who showed immense courage during the Kandahar hijack.”

Monika Shergill, VP, content, Netflix India, said: “The series doesn’t just recount the events; it immerses you in the emotional whirlwind of a nation gripped by fear, hope, and desperation. The powerful storytelling, combined with stunning visual effects and heart-stopping performances by a stellar cast, makes this a must-watch.”

The series streams from Aug. 29.

Watch the trailer here: