IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Row: Patralekhaa says Anubhav Sinha directorial is not a ‘documentary’ amid allegations of whitewashing terrorism

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for art and the stories it tells, I find myself captivated by Patralekhaa’s journey in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. Her ability to navigate the delicate balance between fact and fiction, especially in such a sensitive topic, is commendable.

Currently, Patralekhaa is basking in the accolades following the debut of her latest web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. Despite praise for the acting ensemble, this Netflix production has unwillingly found itself entangled in a controversy with the Indian Government. In an interview with HT City, Patralekhaa clarified that the show is not a ‘documentary’.

In a different flight of dialogue: The actress features as a flight attendant in the series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack”, and recently, Netflix’s content leader was called by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting due to accusations of twisting facts, glossing over terrorism, and causing public outrage. “It’s important to clarify that this isn’t a documentary,” stated Patralekhaa. “Rather, it’s a fictional show where certain scenes have been invented.

The 34-year-old explained that various characters in the show deviated from the actual event’s real names, positioning this as an honest attempt at preserving the original content while infusing a new perspective. She described it as a team effort aimed at maintaining authenticity and adding a personal touch to the character portrayal.

Under the guidance of Anubhav Sinha, this gripping television series is inspired by the events surrounding the December 24, 1999, hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814. This daring act was carried out by five terrorists: Ibrahim Athar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shahid Akhter, and Sayed Shakir. The aircraft, with approximately 154 passengers and crew aboard, was hijacked only 40 minutes after it departed from Kathmandu en route to Delhi.

Reflecting on this heartbreaking event, Patralekhaa mentioned that when the show was initially presented to her, it brought back these memories as if they were brand new. “Rather than feeling (anxiety), I felt eager about it,” she said. She recollected her childhood experience with the hijacking incident and the vivid news footage of armed men. That was her earliest memory of Kandahar, she reminisced. The show will undoubtedly be a cherished aspect of her professional journey, she concluded.

Reflecting on her shooting encounter, the actress shared that she initially struggled to adjust due to feelings of confinement, explaining that “being in a plane set surrounded by a big crew – technicians, junior actors, and staff members – made me feel quite claustrophobic.” She further added, “The compact space and the scenario itself led me to the required emotional state.

2024-09-08 09:37

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