After facing criticism for using Hindu codenames for the terrorists in its series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Netflix has changed the opening credits. The revised version now features the names of two hijackers to address concerns about historical accuracy raised by the audience.

In a statement issued on Tuesday Monika Shergill, the Vice President of Content at Netflix shed light on the reasoning behind the decision saying, "For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event."

Shergill stressed Netflix’s commitment to telling real stories highlighting the importance of authenticity in their narratives, "India has a rich culture of storytelling, and we are committed to showcasing these stories with their authentic representation."

The decision was made following a meeting between Shergill and representatives from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to discuss public concerns. Directed by Anubhav Sinha IC 814 portrays the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999 by five terrorists linked to the Pakistan-based group Harkat ul Mujahideen. The standoff which lasted seven days concluded with the BJP-led government at the time agreeing to release three terrorists in exchange for the hostages.

The series received backlash from some viewers who claimed that the creators were 'downplaying terrorism' by not using the actual names of the hijackers. In the show the terrorists were identified by their codenames 'Chief', 'Doctor', 'Shankar', 'Bhola' and 'Burger' which were the names they used during the hijacking. Critics contended that the inclusion of names, such as 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' distorted historical facts and showed disrespect towards the Hindu community.

Government documents reveal that the hijacker's true identities were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry and Shakir, all affiliated with Harkat. ul.Mujahideen.

The debate sparked a wave of support for the hashtag #BoycottNetflix across platforms as users claimed that the show tried to misrepresent facts and offend religious feelings. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack boasts a star-studded cast featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Pankaj Kapur, Amrita Puri, Manoj Pahwa, Patralekhaa Kumud Mishra, Aditya Srivastava and Aravind Swamy.