Netflix’s new limited series,IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has left questions regarding the aftermath of the real flight’s pilot, Captain Devi Sharan. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s streaming series debut recounts the harrowing events of the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. On December 24th, 1999, five armed hijackers took control of the plane, trapping the fifteen crew members and 176 passengers inside, and starting a hostage situation that lasted eight days. Vijay Varma gives a spectacularly tense performance as the flight’s captain, highlighting the real-life hero behind the character.
Captain Devi Sharan was born in New Delhi in 1962, began his career in aviation in the early 1980s, and was the captain when Flight 814 was hijacked. His quick thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure played a pivotal role in handling the crisis, notably, his decision to fly low over Lahore until air traffic control was forced to give the plane permission to land, preventing it from crashing.IC 814explores multiple angles; political, journalistic, and interpersonal- but its depiction of the life-saving Captain Devi Sharan generates interest in how the events affected Sharan’s life afterward.
Captain Devi Sharan Wrote a Book About the Hijacking in 2000
A recollection of events for Sharan
Sharan went on to write a book about the events of the hijacking,Flight Into Fear, which served as the foundation for the Netflix series.Flight Into Fearwas published by Penguin Books Ltd and released in 2000, one year after the hijacking. The book acted as a recollection of events for Sharan, standing strong as a historical account of Flight 814. The book also focused on the heartbreaking personal elements of the story, which, with such resonating characters, undoubtedly carried through into the making ofIC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
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The depth that went into the Captain’s book stops the hijacking from getting sensationalized to the point that the tragedy is lost. The book reveals thatSharan was supposed to go on vacation after flying the plane that was hijacked, emphasizing the time he lost with his family and the mundane thoughts he had just before shouldering the responsibility for his passengers' lives. Sharan’s various accounts of his time during the eight days reveal how he maintained composure and made decisions that drastically decreased the number of casualties.
The passengers still recognize his voice on flights
“now been flying for 40 years.”
Unfortunately, the trauma caused by the event has never left him completely. In his book, Sharan says that each moment of that week stays with him. Likewise, despite his lack of fault,Sharan toldThe Telegraphthat the murder of one of his passengers remains his biggest regret from the hijacking. However, defying expectations, the attack only stopped Sharan from flying for four months. In the sameTelegraphinterview, the pilot said he has “now been flying for 40 years.” Sharan’s actor, Vamil, said the captain was a “dedicated” individual, which, after everything, is certainly evident.
It’s good to see that Sharan is doing his best to enjoy his life despite such a traumatic event. After being released from the flight, Sharan arrived in India to his loving wife and kids, and widespread acclaim from the Indian government and public. Sharan stayed in touch with a few passengers from the plane for over 10 years after the event depicted inIC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, and says that passengers still recognize his voice on flights even after all this time. Captain Devi Sharan was the calm, collected hero that shouldn’t have been needed, and will continue to be recognized for his brave actions.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
Cast
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a gripping thriller depicting India’s prolonged aviation crisis when flight IC 814 is hijacked en route to Delhi. The film explores the intense national challenge of safeguarding the lives of hundreds of passengers amid an unprecedented hostage situation.
