Anubhav Sinha’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack brings a hyper-cinematic recounting of the 1999 hijack incident, but falls short of delivering a deeply engaging experience. The series, based on the real-life events and inspired by Captain Devi Sharan’s book Flight Into Fear – A Captain’s Story, aims to present a factual retelling of the seven days of terror experienced by the 200 passengers on board and the Indian government’s efforts to negotiate with the hijackers.
The series opens with a conventional documentary-style voiceover and stock footage of IC 814, setting the context in a journalistic manner rather than building suspense. This approach diminishes the potential for dramatic tension. When Captain Sharan Dev (played by Vijay Varma) and air hostesses Indrani (Patralekhaa Paul) and Chhaya (Additi Gupta Chopra) are introduced, their personal stories attempt to create relatability but fail to forge a strong emotional connection. The portrayal of the hijackers—Chief (Rajiv Thakur), Doctor (Harminder Singh), Burger (DilJohn), and Bhola (Kunal Chopra)—lacks the menace necessary to convey their role effectively, with their declaration of the hijack failing to generate the urgency or anxiety seen in similar scenes in films like Neerja (2016).
The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, does have visual strengths. It employs a color-coded narrative style, with varying tints of blue and yellow to distinguish different timelines and intensify the claustrophobic atmosphere of the hijack. The cinematography by Ewan Mulligan and Ravi Kiran Ayyagiri contributes to this visual distinction, contrasting with scenes of government officials, which are often bathed in white light and shadows, underscoring a sense of lethargy and evasion.
Despite these stylistic elements, the series struggles to explore its characters deeply. The writing team, including Adrian Levy, Trishant Srivastava, and Anubhav Sinha, seems more focused on the factual recounting rather than delving into the emotional and psychological aspects of the story. There are attempts to address the broader geopolitical implications through brief dialogues, but these moments feel awkward and fail to add substantial depth to the narrative.
The performances vary, with Vijay Varma delivering a nuanced portrayal of Captain Sharan Dev despite limited screen time. Among the government officials, Manoj Pahwa stands out with his lively and humorous portrayal, especially in scenes with Arvind Swami, who is convincing as the secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs. Dia Mirza, in her role as a journalist, has minimal impact, and her storyline with Amrita Puri feels underdeveloped.
Anubhav Sinha, known for his multi-starrer films like Dus (2005) and Cash (2007), makes his web series debut with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. While the series offers an engaging portrayal of the hijack, it ultimately feels incomplete. It leaves viewers with a basic understanding of the events but lacks the depth and emotional resonance needed to fully captivate its audience.
