Indian news agency ANI has sued Netflix Inc and producers of an Indian series about a plane hijack, asking for four episodes to be taken down as they used ANI content without permission, ANI’s lawyer told Reuters yesterday.
The series, called ‘IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack’, a fictionalised version of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 from Kathmandu, has been embroiled in controversy since its release last month.
Social media users and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party have criticised the show for what they said was an incorrect portrayal of the hijackers as Hindus with Hindu names when they were Muslims, a Reuters report from New Delhi stated yesterday.
Netflix added new disclaimers to the six-episode show last week after its officials were summoned by India’s information and broadcasting ministry. It also said the code names used in the series reflected those used during the actual event.
“They have used copyright archival footage of ANI without licence, they have also used the (ANI) trademark,” Sidhant Kumar, counsel for ANI, said.
“Since the series has come into such criticism, our trademark and brand name is being tarnished,” Kumar said, adding that ANI wants Netflix to take down four episodes where its content has been used.
The Delhi High Court had agreed to hear the case and sought the response of Netflix, he said.
There was no immediate response from Netflix for a request for comment from Reuters, which has a minority stake in ANI.
India blames Pakistan and Pakistan-based militant groups for the December 1999 hijack, which was resolved after New Delhi freed three Islamist militants, including Masood Azhar, the head of one such group.
Network18 reaches 250mn TV viewers, crosses 65bn social video views: Akash Ambani
MIFF panel agrees youngsters driving documentary renaissance
At APOS, JioStar’s Chatterjee says India most demanding live sports market
JioStar’s Vaz says focus is on creating integrated consumer experiences across screens
UK proposes sweeping SM ban for under-16s; WhatsApp exempted
Classic animation gem draws audiences at MIFF
Disney-Pixar ‘Toy Story5’ debuts with $312mn global opening
Women-led OTT shows generate 47% more buzz: Ormax analysis
Typecasting thoughts haunt ‘Pyramid Scheme’ actors Shorey, Cheema
AI films showcase new storytelling frontiers at MIFF ’26 


