Unbelievable true story behind infamous flight hijacking in thrilling new Netflix series

A Netflix series will delve into an Indian Airlines flight that was hijacked on Christmas Eve in 1999.

The show, which has been adapted from the book Flight Into Fear written by Captain Devi Sharan (who was the pilot onboard), will follow the flight as it set off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

The aircraft was heading to New Delhi, but 40 minutes into the flight five men hijacked the plane.

The show is adapted from the book Flight Into Fear, written by Captain Devi Sharan (Netflix)

The series, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, tells the story from different perspectives, including Sharan, the terrified passengers and crew onboard and the negotiators dealing with the incident on the ground.

It's truly a shocking story, recalling how the flight was forced to make a number of different landings - including in Amritsar, India, Lahore, Pakistan, Dubai and Afghanistan - while following the demands of the hijackers.

When the flight eventually landed in Afghanistan, 27 out of 176 passengers were freed.

One was killed during the hijack while multiple others were injured.

The hostages remained in Afghanistan for the following six days while negotiations took place.

It is reported that the hijackers wanted 36 prisoners released in exchange for them safely freeing the remaining hostages.

One account of a 41-year-old passenger, reads: "I must have slept around 3.00am. I woke up at 8.00am. The usual Afghan bread was served for breakfast. I did not feel like eating. I was worried that the millennium would end in hours and I would be missing the celebrations. I was thinking of many things."

Eventually, negotiations led to the hostages being released in exchange for three prisoners, but the government were criticised over their handling of the crisis.

“IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a gripping tale that chronicles one of the longest hijackings in Indian history, offering a real account of a colossal international crisis," said Monika Shergill of Netflix India.

"Directed by the master filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, known for his gritty and realistic cinema, the series doesn’t just recount the events; it immerses you in the emotional whirlwind of a nation gripped by fear, hope, and desperation. The powerful storytelling, combined with stunning visual effects and heart-stopping performances by a stellar cast, makes this a must-watch.”

The flight at Kandahar airport (A.K. AHMEDZAI/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, creator Anubhav Sinha told Variety: “Trishant, the writer, and I dived in thinking most of the information is available online. Documentaries and vlogs have been made, articles have been written, so we wanted to sink our teeth deeper for a more succulent bite.

“We met officials engaged in running the rescue mission from Delhi, and passengers and the crew told us the story inside the aircraft. Adrian Levy, an eminent journalist, author and filmmaker from London came on board and an all-new international canvas unfolded before us.

“What went on across those seven days turned out to be a compelling story that cuts through chilling and thrilling tactical and diplomatic manoeuvres that had to be told. The viewers must know this story that has never been told inside out before with a cast I don’t know if I can put together again.”

The series will drop on Netflix on Thursday 29 August.