- Release Date: 29/08/2024
- Cast: Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Naseeruddin Shah
- Runtime: 229 Minutes (6 Episodes)
- Director: Anubhav Sinha
Compelling Storytelling Clashes with Controversial Choices in This Cinematically Brilliant Retelling of India’s Last Airliner Hijack
Based on the book Flight into Fear: The Captain’s Story by Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack chronicles the harrowing story of the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight IC814 from Katmandu by Pakistani and Al Qaeda terrorists and the subsequent efforts by the Indian government to safeguard and release the hostages. Captain Devi Sharan, the primary pilot of the plane, was instrumental in saving lives and piloting his aircraft to the limits of its ability and safety in order to somehow meet the unrealistic demands of the terrorists.
The series delves deep into the eight days of the hijack, taking a long, hard look at all the factors involved, including the roles played by the people and groups directly or indirectly linked to the ordeal. Given the reputation of the series director, Anubhav Sinha, and the statement that the story and screenplay were rewritten because Sinha was unimpressed with the first version, there are questions about how closely the series adheres to the actual source material. However, what cannot be denied is the meticulous nature of the filmmaking, which, despite its issues, remains undeniably gripping from start to finish.
Storytelling as Its Forte:
It cannot be denied that the series is meticulously built using original footage, CGI, and production design to give viewers the feeling of being in the moment as these events unfolded. Every time a person or situation is referenced, we have a voiceover explaining the association and the history of that particular person or factor with the Indian authorities, detailing their connection to the hijack or what they stand to gain from it. This approach is extremely helpful in establishing the various characters and situations, allowing viewers to better understand the story, the proceedings, and the international politics at play. This aspect of storytelling adds a dimension to the series that is often missing in other videos available on this subject matter online. It is evident that the creators conducted thorough research, and it shows.
There are a large number of characters and story arcs unfolding simultaneously. Interestingly, Sinha is able to tie them up convincingly and organically into one large thread, making everything easily intelligible and enjoyable for viewers. While some may find the story to be a slow burn, it is never uninteresting. Every stakeholder has something important to contribute to the story and its ultimate outcome, and these factors and characters are thoroughly explored in the screenplay through efficient writing and well-established cinematic techniques. When used effectively, these techniques can lead to wonderful results as was apparently the case here.
Terrific Performances from the Ensemble Cast:
Anubhav Sinha deserves credit for assembling a dream cast comprising some of the best actors in India and giving them compelling and nuanced characters to portray. The writing of the characters, the dialogues entrusted to them, and the direction of the actors are spot-on, making the already simmering drama of the series even more effective and harrowing. There are many sequences where the actors say nothing but only emote, and we can still grasp what is going on in their minds.
Two scenes that immediately come to mind are: one where we see Manoj Pahwa hang up the phone after a conversation with the terrorists and then react to the discussion by looking toward the Afghan representative in the room; another is where we see Aditya Srivastav being entrusted with the task of getting something done from the Kashmiri chief minister, with failure not being an option, and how he helplessly looks on at the entire ordeal. The series is filled with such memorable pieces of acting throughout, and it would be unfair to single out just a few actors for such stellar performances. Every actor, even those with the smallest roles in the series, leaves an impact, ensuring that whenever the drama becomes leisurely, the audience can connect and resonate with the performances, keeping the series’ grip on its audience intact.
Interesting Techniques Employed to Enhance Storytelling:
As mentioned earlier in the review, Anubhav Sinha employs interesting techniques like voice-over, different colour grades, real footage from the events, and modern editing techniques to infuse the story with more energy and drama, making it much easier to understand for viewers who might have little knowledge of the actual events. These techniques also underline the fact that the events and elements of the original story have been kept as close to the real-life events as possible, at least in terms of aesthetics. This was also necessary for the well-laid-out events to make complete sense, connect different aspects of the story, and explain the role of each character and how crucial they were.
The creativity and control of the director in building these aspects of the series were not lost on me, and I was able to appreciate these nuances even more on my second viewing of the series. This is another point I want to highlight: the series not only enhances its impact and feel upon a second viewing but also becomes more engaging and easily intelligible. Few series have this quality, and Anubhav Sinha’s foray into long-format storytelling is one such unique piece of filmmaking.
Unnecessary Attempt to Garner Sympathy for the Terrorists:
While Anubhav Sinha might call it “humanizing” the terrorists, I see it as an unnecessary effort to garner sympathy for those who are embodiments of evil. The director seems to want the audience to feel that the terrorists are justified in their actions. Although the series shows the horrifying violence that the terrorists committed against the passengers, it also depicts the terrorists taking care of and being nice to some of the passengers, which feels extremely jarring. Every time one of the Indians stands up to the terrorists and questions their actions, the terrorist responds with something that either silences the individual or makes them question what they have been led to believe about the terrorists and their cause. This storytelling choice feels like a betrayal and seems to side with the terrorists who murdered innocent, unarmed people and helped free individuals who continue to cause the deaths of innocents even today. The director also makes it a point to show that not all Pakistanis are bad by creating a Pakistani character in Dubai who is portrayed as being responsible for saving many women and children. These elements did not sit well with me.
Additionally, the series tries to hammer home the idea that at least two Islamic countries are against violence, despite their well-known violent histories. These departures from the truth are extremely jarring and take you out of the experience. They also reveal the propaganda that the director is trying to push, reminding viewers to be careful in not believing everything shown in the series. The tone of the series, especially regarding the negative characters, becomes inconsistent with their actions, which makes absolutely no sense.
Final Words:
While IC814: The Kandahar Hijack has its strengths in storytelling, performances, and technical execution, it also has notable flaws primarily in its treatment of the terrorists that might not sit well with everyone. The series offers a detailed and gripping narrative of a significant historical event, but its attempts to humanize the terrorists and alter certain characteristics of them can feel unsettling for many. As viewers, it’s essential to watch the series critically, do one’s own research and discern the facts from the storytelling choices. Ultimately, I encourage my readers to view the series with an open mind, form their own opinions based on research, and appreciate the effort that went into bringing this complex story to the screen with so much power and quality.
Rating: 3.5/5 (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
The views expressed in this article are that of the reviewer and do not reflect EastMojo’s position.
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