The much-anticipated movie “IC 814 – The Kandahar” is all geared up to showcase the disastrous moment of the 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking and has built a high level of controversy online. The naming of its hijackers in the movie ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’ has elicited mixed reactions among netizens, especially over the implications their naming will have on higher levels of narration of the incident.
Background of the hijacking of IC 814
Indian Airlines Flight No. IC 814 was hijacked by five armed men barely after it took off from Kathmandu, Nepal in December 1999. The hijackers took the plane to Afghanistan and kept the passengers hostage for almost a week. The hijacking ended with a controversial negotiation wherein several terrorists were freed in lieu of the safe return of the hostages.
Approach of the film
IC 814 – The Kandahar will hence try to relive that scarred chapter of Indian aviation history. But the naming of the hijackers as ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’ has raised many eyebrows. Critics say the names, associated with Hindu culture, might misrepresent the real identity of the hijackers, who belonged to a Muslim background.
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Reactions of Netizens
Social media has also been filled with various responses on the move of the film. Many have expressed their discontent over such a move, citing that what the filmmakers want is to lighten the religious identities of the hijackers.
- Naming Choices Taken to Task: Users note that naming the hijackers in a manner unrelated to their true backgrounds could well lead to misconceptions about the events and those concerned.
- Representation Concerns: A section of commentators has expressed fear that the film may stereotype or misrepresent the Muslim community in India, especially in light of sensitivity pertaining to the hijacking incident.
- Film Support: Some, on the other hand, support the creative decisions of the filmmakers to retain the names, citing those as mere fiction names and not an affront to any community.
Larger Ramifications
The furore over the film reflects wider tensions in India over religious identity and the way it is represented on screen. It also shows that naming of characters in movies based on true-life incidents is often imbued with deeper implications, and audiences are increasingly sensitive to such nuances.
Filmmakers’ Response
Also, till date, the filmmakers did not comment on this backlash. Probably before its release, they may react as the netizens’ demands rise while raising a question on the change of the names. This naming controversy can lower the potential viewership and hence the collection at the box office upon the release of the movie.
Conclusion
“IC 814 – The Kandahar” is going to be one major film on a milestone event in the history of India. However, the mess over hijacker names further highlights how much of a tightrope balance filmmakers must achieve in dramatizing actual events that may be literally riddled with sensitive cultural and religious contexts. Since debate is continuing online, the filmmakers will have to airily dance around it so their narrative is both respectful and true to the events they want to narrate.