Allegations of Fakery in ‘Dhurandhar’ Over Ajit Doval’s Story: Fact Check

New Delhi: The blockbuster film Dhurandhar has sparked controversy over its portrayal of the 1999 Kandahar plane hijacking (IC-814) and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Critics and some reports allege that certain facts have been distorted for cinematic effect.

Claims of Exaggeration
An article in The Caravan magazine claims that the scene depicting passengers chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” on the hijacked flight has no concrete historical record and was included solely for narrative purposes. While the film references the RAW chief at the time, it does not specify who held the post then.

The article further alleges that the film exaggerated certain aspects, portraying the release of three terrorists as a political compulsion, while making intelligence personnel appear more aggressive and farsighted than reality. It also claims that the film downplays diplomatic and negotiation efforts, despite references to former RAW chief A.S. Dulat and the 2010 Aman Ki Asha initiative. Some scenes and dialogues are said to selectively amplify real events.

Fact Check: What Really Happened
Regarding the “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” scene, Ajit Doval himself confirmed in a past interview that he did indeed chant the slogan inside the hijacked aircraft, though passengers did not react. This suggests that at least this particular portrayal in the film has a factual basis.

Background: The Kandahar Hijacking
On 24 December 1999, Indian Airlines Flight IC-814, traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi with 176 passengers and 15 crew members, was hijacked by terrorists. The aircraft was forced to land in Kandahar, Afghanistan, then under Taliban control. The hijackers demanded the release of three terrorists from the Indian government, leading to a tense diplomatic and security standoff.

Conclusion
While Dhurandhar dramatizes certain events for cinematic impact, key moments, including Ajit Doval’s actions during the hijacking, are rooted in fact. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between historical accuracy and narrative license in films based on real-life events.