Netflix India has unveiled the first trailer for its upcoming series “ IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack .”

The infamous hijacking incident occurred in December 1999 when an Indian Airlines flight was taken over by militants during its journey from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The flight made several stops, including Amritsar in India, Lahore in Pakistan, Dubai, and Kandahar in Afghanistan. The ordeal lasted for a tense seven days.

The drama, adapted from the book “Flight Into Fear” by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, explores the crisis from multiple angles, and offers a multifaceted look at the incident, showcasing the tense negotiations in Delhi’s War Room, the high-stakes diplomacy at Taliban-controlled Kandahar, and the terrifying ordeal faced by passengers and crew aboard the hijacked aircraft.

The series features a talented ensemble cast, including Vijay Varma (“Dahaad”), Patralekhaa (“Aar Ya Paar”), veterans Pankaj Kapur (“Bheed”) and Naseeruddin Shah (“Minimum”), Arvind Swami (“Custody”), Dia Mirza (“Bheed”), Amrita Puri (“Neeyat”), Anupam Tripathi (“Squid Game”), Kumud Mishra (“Tiger 3”), Manoj Pahwa (“Bawaal”), Kanwaljeet Singh (“Mrs”), Dibyendu Bhattacharya (“Poacher”), Sushant Singh (“The Freelancer”), Aditya Srivastava (“Bhakshak”), Rajeev Thakur and Yashpal Sharma (“Chandu Champion”).

The series is a creation of Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava (“Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga”), with Sinha serving as director. The story is penned by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava. Production is handled by Matchbox Shots and Benaras Mediaworks, with Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray serving as producers.

Sinha's films, which often explore social and political issues, include “Bheed” (2023), “Anek” (2022), “Article 15” (2019), and “Mulk” (2018). He is returning to television series after a 27-year break, following his work on DD Metro's “Sea Hawks.”

“Netflix and Matchbox Shots presented me with an opportunity I couldn't pass up, to tell the story of ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,’” Sinha said. “Trishant, the writer, and I began working on it, assuming that most of the information was readily available online. Documentaries and online videos have been produced, articles have been written, so we wanted to delve deeper for a more in-depth and engaging narrative.”

“We met with officials who were involved in managing the rescue mission from Delhi, and passengers and crew members shared their firsthand accounts of the events inside the aircraft. Adrian Levy, a prominent journalist, author, and filmmaker from London joined the project, and a completely new international dimension unfolded before us,” Sinha added. “What transpired over those seven days proved to be a captivating story that highlights the chilling and thrilling tactical and diplomatic maneuvers that had to be told. Viewers must witness this story that has never been told from every perspective before, featuring a cast that I don't know if I can assemble again.”

Sanjay Routray of Matchbox Shots, the production company behind recent Netflix India hits “Monica, O My Darling” and “Scoop,” added: “With Anubhav Sinha's masterful direction and Netflix's global reach, we are confident that the series will resonate with audiences around the world, prompting them to appreciate the bravery and resilience of the Indians who displayed immense courage during the Kandahar hijack.”

Monika Shergill, VP, content, Netflix India, stated: “The series doesn't simply recount the events; it immerses you in the emotional turmoil of a nation grappling with fear, hope, and desperation. The compelling storytelling, coupled with stunning visual effects and gripping performances by a stellar cast, makes this a must-watch.”

The series streams from Aug. 29.

Watch the trailer here: