Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is working on a long-format series based on the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, we have exclusively learnt. The drama will follow the events that unfolded between December 24 and 31. From what we have gathered, the series is yet to go on floors, however, the makers have picked their cast members.

Actor Vijay Varma, in his first-ever collaboration with the Anek (2022) director, will be seen playing a central character, as will actor Pankaj Kapur, who also stars in Sinha’s Bheed, which releases this year. Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Mandira Bedi, too, have pivotal roles, details of which are yet to be known. The series, currently in pre-production, will soon go on floors and is expected to stream on a leading OTT giant.

The hijacking of flight IC-814, is one of the most tragic terrorist incidents in history, where 176 passengers were held hostage by five Pakistani militants. Several projects have been made on the episode, including the 2003 film Zameen and the Kunal Shivdasani-directed Hijack (2008), as well as the 2010 Malayalam film Kandahar, starring Mohanlal.