Mumbai: A new web series, ‘IC 814’, centred on the 1999 Kandahar plane hijack, has stirred up controversy, prompting survivor Pooja Kataria to speak out about the depiction of events. Pooja, who was on board the hijacked plane with her husband, has dismissed the uproar over the series, calling it “unnecessary.”
In an interview, Pooja, a resident of Chandigarh, recounted her harrowing experience during the hijack, sharing insights into the real events that transpired inside the aircraft. She addressed the debate surrounding the names of the hijackers in the series, stating, “The controversy is unnecessary. While their names were different outside the plane, inside they called themselves Bhola and Shankar. The series reflects these names accurately.”
Hijackers’ Tactics and Passenger Reactions
Pooja revealed that the hijackers repeatedly urged the passengers to convert to Islam, delivering motivational speeches throughout the ordeal. “At one point, many passengers were even swayed by their speeches and felt they should convert to Islam to save their lives,” she explained.
She also expressed her disappointment with the government’s handling of the situation, saying, “The government should have conducted an operation to stop the aircraft in Amritsar. We were expecting something like that to happen, but it never did.”
A Personal Encounter with a Hijacker
Recalling a personal encounter with one of the hijackers, Pooja revealed that the day of the hijacking was her birthday. She shared a surprising detail: “A hijacker named Burger gifted me a shawl he was wearing, with a message written on it. I have kept it to this day.”
Pooja also mentioned that she has kept the luggage provided to the passengers during the hijack as a reminder of that terrifying day. She detailed the events of the hijack, explaining how the plane was taken over and how she and her fellow passengers eventually managed to escape.
Web Series Based on True Events
Regarding the controversy over the web series, Pooja encouraged viewers to approach it with an open mind, stating, “The series should be taken as entertainment. It includes political activities alongside the events on the plane and is based on true events. It should be seen on that basis.”
With these comments, Pooja provided a unique perspective on the ‘IC 814’ series, highlighting both the authenticity of its depiction and the complexities of the real-life incident it portrays. As debates continue over the series, her insights offer a reminder of the human experiences behind the headlines.
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