Actor Vijay Varma is currently being hailed for his stellar performance as Captain Devi Sharan in the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The Mirzapur actor has captured widespread attention, spotlighting the real-life hero behind the story. This gripping series showcases the harrowing events of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 and the crucial role played by Captain Sharan.
What Happened? All You Need To Know about The Kandahar Hijack
In late December 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814 took off from Kathmandu, Nepal, carrying 188 passengers with various dreams and plans. Among them were newlyweds, businesspeople, and vacationers. At the helm was Captain Devi Sharan, an experienced pilot, accompanied by First Officer Rajinder Kumar and Flight Engineer Anil Kumar Jaggia. Little did they know, their flight was about to become one of aviation history’s most prolonged and terrifying hijacking incidents.
As the plane cruised through the night sky, five masked men—later linked to the terrorist group Al Qaeda—hijacked the aircraft. For over a week, the world watched in horror as the hijackers threatened and manipulated the passengers and crew.
Meet Captain Devi Sharan
Captain Devi Sharan had been looking forward to a family vacation after piloting his final flight on Christmas Eve. However, the hijacking ordeal took an unexpected turn, and for eight gruelling days, he faced the situation with unwavering resolve. Despite the intense pressure, Captain Sharan focused on the safety of his passengers and crew, earning widespread admiration.
The hijackers' demands included the release of three terrorists: Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar. Throughout the ordeal, Captain Sharan’s leadership helped ensure that everyone on board faced the situation with as much dignity as possible.
After the ordeal, Captain Sharan co-authored a memoir titled Flight Into Fear with journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury. This book, recounting his experiences and efforts to keep calm during the hijacking, inspired the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava.
About IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack
The series features a stellar cast, including Vijay Varma as Captain Sharan, along with Patralekhaa, Dia Mirza, Kumud Mishra, and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles. Their performances vividly bring to life the intense and emotional story of IC 814, offering a deeply human perspective on one of aviation’s most infamous hijackings.
