IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack: Writer Shares REAL Reason Terrorists' Names Changed in Anubhav Sinha Show

Writer Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book that inspired Netflix’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has reacted to the backlash over the ‘changed’ names of the terrorists in the series. For the unversed, the series shows the events that pan out during Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijack in December 1999. Social media users accused the makers of changing the name of the hijackers. However, the writer has clarified that hijackers assumed different names in real life.

As per reports, the hijackers were reportedly named Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry and Shakir. The hijackers referred to each other as Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger and Chief in the series. Writer Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book, clarified, “All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking — Regards, the author of the first book on the IC-814 hijacking,” Neelesh shared on X. Anubhav reposted the post.

Neelesh also addressed questions about the hijackers playing antakshri with the captive passengers. “They played antakshari too with passengers?” a social media user asked. “Yes. It’s in my book. Based on countless interviews with passengers. An apple from which Burger took a bite was passed around the hungry passengers. Ripan Katyal brought to the business class and slashed to death, lying dead for days while his newly wedded bride sat in the economy class unaware. So many such terrifying and tragic moments. The IC 814 hijacking left so many questions on how it was dealt with. I haven’t seen the series,” he said.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack features a stellar starcast. These include Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza.