S. Jaishankar Reflects on Personal Connection to Hijacking as He Criticizes Netflix Series
New Delhi, 14th September 2024: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the recent controversy surrounding Netflix’s series IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack during an event with the Indian diaspora in Geneva on Friday. Although Jaishankar mentioned he hasn’t viewed the series, he criticized the portrayal of government actions in such films.
Reflecting on a past hijacking incident from 1984, Jaishankar shared a personal connection to the story. He recounted being a young officer involved in handling a hijacking while his father was on the flight. He recalled trying to inform his mother of his inability to return home due to the hijack, only to realize that his father was one of the passengers.
Jaishankar elaborated on the situation, noting, “Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the incident could have had a tragic outcome. I had a unique perspective, being both part of the response team and a concerned family member pushing for resolution.”
Regarding the Netflix series, Jaishankar commented, “Films often don’t portray governments favourably because the focus is on making the hero look good. It’s something we have to accept as part of the industry’s narrative style.”
Jaishankar is currently on a two-day visit to Geneva. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the Netflix series has faced criticism for its alleged inaccuracies in depicting the 1999 hijacking of Indian Flight 814.
