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Who is Captain Devi Sharan? Everything You Need to Know About Vijay Varma's Character in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
Vijay Varma's portrayal of Captain Dev Sharan in the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has generated significant buzz, drawing attention to the real-life hero behind the gripping story. The series, which has captivated audiences, sheds light on the harrowing events that unfolded during the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, and the pivotal role played by Captain Sharan.
On a seemingly ordinary evening in late December, Indian Airlines Flight 814 took off from Kathmandu, Nepal, with 188 passengers aboard, each with their own hopes and plans. Among them were newlyweds dreaming of a bright future, businesspeople seeking new opportunities, and vacationers eager to celebrate the holiday season with their loved ones. At the helm was Captain Dev Sharan, an experienced pilot, alongside First Officer Rajinder Kumar and Flight Engineer Anil Kumar Jaggia. Unbeknownst to them, their flight would soon become one of the longest and most terrifying hijacking incidents in aviation history.
As the plane soared through the skies, five masked men, later identified as operatives with ties to the terrorist group Al Qaeda, seized control of the aircraft. For over a week, the world watched in horror as the hijackers manipulated and threatened the passengers and crew, holding their lives in the balance. Captain Sharan’s calm and composed demeanour during this crisis became a beacon of hope for those on board.
Captain Dev Sharan was looking forward to a much-needed family vacation after piloting his final flight on Christmas Eve before the turn of the millennium. However, fate had different plans. During the eight-day hijacking ordeal, Captain Sharan remained steadfast, fully aware of the enormous responsibility he bore. His ability to stay calm under immense pressure and his unwavering focus on the safety of his passengers and crew earned him admiration and respect.
The hijackers' demands were clear—they wanted the release of three notorious terrorists: Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar. The situation was dire, but Captain Sharan’s resolve never wavered. His leadership during the crisis played a crucial role in ensuring that the passengers and crew endured the ordeal with as much dignity as possible.
Captain Sharan later co-authored a memoir titled Flight Into Fear with journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury, in which he recounted the terrifying events of the hijacking and his efforts to maintain a calm and controlled environment on the plane. This memoir served as the inspiration for the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava.
While IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been praised for its gripping storytelling, it has not been without controversy. The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) recently summoned Netflix's head of content over concerns regarding the use of “Hindu names” as aliases by the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorists depicted in the series. The hijackers in the show refer to each other using code names such as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar, which has sparked public outcry and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court, alleging a distortion of facts.
Based on Captain Devi Sharan's memoir, the series features a stellar cast, including Vijay Varma as Captain Sharan, Patralekhaa, Dia Mirza, Kumud Mishra, and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles. Their performances bring the intense and emotional story of IC 814 to life, offering viewers a deeply human perspective on one of the most infamous hijackings in history.
Currently streaming on Netflix, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack not only revisits a dark chapter in aviation history but also honours the bravery and resilience of Captain Devi Sharan, a man who faced unimaginable pressure and emerged as a true hero.
- PTC PUNJABI
