Dia Mirza has stirred an important conversation around cinema, patriotism and the kind of stories audiences are choosing to celebrate today. Speaking about the response to IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, the actor said the series faced criticism because it chose a more balanced and humane lens, adding that “we are celebrating jingoism too much” at the moment. She made the remarks during an interview on The Namrata Zakaria Show.
Dia Mirza defends IC 814
According to Dia, one of the main reasons IC 814 was attacked was because the show did not flatten the story into a simplistic patriotic narrative. She said the series was called out for humanising all characters, including the terrorists, but added that she does not regret that choice because the show offers a more balanced view of the crisis.
‘There is a trend to celebrate jingoism’
Dia’s sharpest remark came when she reflected on the larger cultural mood. She said there is now a trend to enjoy and celebrate jingoism and suggested that IC 814 did not fit into that mould. Her comment has struck a chord because it goes beyond one series and questions the kind of chest-thumping narratives that often receive louder applause today.
Why her statement stands out
What makes Dia’s comment significant is that it pushes back against the current preference for loud, one-note nationalism in popular storytelling. Her defence of IC 814 suggests that stories based on national trauma do not always need slogan-heavy treatment; they can also be told with complexity, discomfort and emotional honesty. That is precisely where her stand feels bold. This is an inference based on her comments about balanced storytelling and the criticism the series received.
Dia says artistes must speak up
Dia also stressed that artistes should not stay silent when it matters. In the same conversation, she said actors and creators must use their voice and take a stand, even if doing so comes with trolling or backlash. Her remarks place the debate not just in the realm of entertainment, but also in the wider responsibility of public figures.
About IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
For context, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a Netflix limited series inspired by the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, and it premiered on August 29, 2024. The show stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza.
Dia Mirza’s remarks are not just about defending one show. They also reflect a larger discomfort with how easily nuanced storytelling gets pushed aside when aggressive patriotism becomes the preferred flavour. In a climate where louder narratives often dominate, her support for IC 814 has made her position clear: balance and humanity still matter.
By – Juhi