Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha's Netflix show IC814: The Kandahar Hijack has come under fire for allegedly changing the real names of terrorists to Hindu names. In the midst of this controversy, a promotional press conference was held in Mumbai, attended by Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Patralekhaa, Dia Mirza, and other cast members, including the director.
Anubhav Sinha Gets Into Argument With Journalist
The team generally avoided discussing the criticism. However, when a journalist questioned Sinha about the allegations, he refused to respond. He was even seen engaging in a heated argument with the reporter.
Despite the host's efforts to intervene, the journalist persisted and kept repeating his question. A visibly irked Anubhav finally replied, "Kaun? Aap laga rahe hai aarop? Yeh sawaal aapka hai? Yeh jo sawaal aapne pucha, kya yeh aaropo apne lagaye hai? Aapne series dekhi hai?"
"Series dekhi hai?” he asked repeatedly.
He then added, "Mai baat hi nahi kar sakta aapse, aapne series hi nahi dekhi hai."
(Loose translation: Who are you alleging? Have you seen the series? Have you? I can't talk to you since you haven't watched the series)
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Internet REACTS
The argument didn't go down well with netizens. Many slammed the filmmaker for not responding to the question.
A comment read: "Sorry Anubhav, you cannot speak that way. You've done no favor by making this series and the journalist isn't obligated to have watched it."
Another person wrote, "No need for this attitude u want to make controversial films have the capacity to be able to attend to all reactions."
Netflix On IC814: The Kandahar Hijack Controversy
The show started with the host reading the official statement of Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content at Netflix India.
"For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers," the OTT giant's head said after her meeting Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju.
For those unversed, the show has been accused of referring to the hijackers with code names Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger and Chief. It has been facing boycott calls amid the row.