Inside the Making of Netflix's 'IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack'

Anubhav Sinha took on directing Netflix's 'IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack' after discovering Vishal Bhardwaj's shelved project on the same topic. Sinha and Bhardwaj discussed their respective versions, agreeing on their unique approaches. Monika Shergill pushed for Sinha's involvement, highlighting his importance in bringing the series to life.

Anubhav Sinha learned about Vishal Bhardwaj's scrapped project on the Kandahar hijacking only after committing to Netflix's 'IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack.' The series, delving into the 1999 Indian aircraft hijacking, is set to release on August 29. Bhardwaj's project was dropped by Prime Video due to political controversies.

Following discussions with Bhardwaj, Sinha decided to pursue his unique take on the story. Sinha explained, "He is a friend; we often share our love for cinema and scripts. In this case, it was important not to encroach upon what Bhardwaj had created. His insights shaped my vision."

Monika Shergill, Netflix India's VP of Content, asserted the significance of Sinha's role in the project. Despite initial hesitations, Sinha agreed to direct after understanding the shared passion to portray the event from a human perspective. The series features acclaimed actors including Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur.

(With inputs from agencies.)