The series, based on the hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999, faced social media outrage for inaccuracies including changing the names of the hijackers.
Netflix India agreed to include an updated disclaimer on the real and code names of the hijackers, Ibrahim Akhtar, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir.
The key concern that the MIB has about the web series is that it claims to be a work of fiction while promoting it as a true story, people cited above said. Further, the platform has put up a disclaimer only in India and not in other international territories.
“If foreign streaming platforms continue to behave like this, the MIB will be compelled to come out with a tighter content regulation for OTT platforms, which could extend to pre-certification of content also,” a government official said on condition of anonymity.
Both the MIB and Netflix declined to comment.OTT insiders expressed concern over tighter content regulation. “This reaction can have a chilling effect on the industry… (It is) likely to curtail free speech and the ability for anyone to tell a story of any authenticity,” said an OTT expert.Legal experts argued that the issue over the names of characters is specific to India and hence the updated disclaimer is only applicable there.
A petition seeking withdrawal of the series was also filed in the Delhi High Court for assigning Hindu names such as Bhola and Shankar to the hijackers. The petition was withdrawn later.
