Real-Life Survivor Couple’s Daughter Prepares to Become a Pilot After Kandahar Hijack: ‘I Wanted to Learn How to Handle…’
Anubhav Sinha’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been receiving criticism for inaccuracies in its portrayal online. The drama series stars Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa, and Patralekhaa and is based on the 1999 hijacking of the Kathmandu-Delhi Air India flight. The daughter of a couple who survived the IC 814 hijack is now training to become a pilot. Shivangi Menon, the aspiring pilot, expressed her desire to learn how to handle such situations.
According to a report by News 18, Shivangi Menon is currently a junior first officer undergoing training at Air India Express. She shared how the 1999 hijack incident inspired her to pursue a career in aviation. This development coincides with the buzz surrounding the Vijay Varma-starrer.
Describing the IC 814 hijack as a pivotal moment for India’s aviation sector, Shivangi recalled how she used to ask her parents about their experience during the hijack, which occurred when they were returning from their honeymoon. She conducted research about the incident online and also watched a documentary on National Geographic that featured footage of her parents’ return.
“I wanted to learn how to deal with such a situation. We are now efficiently trained in anti-hijack operations. I want to contribute to my country in this way,” she stated.
Shivangi’s father, Bipin Menon, shared that she overheard their conversation about the 1999 hijack when she was just 5 years old. He mentioned that Shivangi decided to pursue a career in aviation during her 11th standard studies.
Bipin recounted the moments when the hijackers were observed eyeing the passengers while they were waiting in the lounge due to a flight delay. The survivor of the IC 814 hijack remembered how the passengers felt uneasy but didn’t pay much attention at the time.
Bipin expressed admiration for his daughter’s choice of a male-dominated profession. It is reported that Shivangi is set to fly in a few days.
Former R&AW Chief AS Dulat criticized IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for inaccuracies, including the assertion that Indian intelligence had prior information about the hijack. Dulat refuted this claim, stating that there was no forewarning.
Have you seen IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack?
ALSO READ: IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: Vijay Varma compares series’ success with ‘BOXOFFICE TSUNAMI’; congratulates Anubhav Sinha ‘aapko SUPERHIT hua hai’