Anubhav Sinha

, is now gearing up for the upcoming OTT series ‘

IC 814

: The Kandahar Hijack’, recently shared insights about the casting process for the show, particularly highlighting the challenges he faced in securing the participation of veteran actor

Pankaj Kapur

. Known for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, Sinha has assembled a remarkable cast that includes stalwarts like

Naseeruddin Shah

,

Vijay Varma

, and

Dia Mirza

, alongside Pankaj Kapur.

However, it was Kapur’s involvement that proved to be the most complex.
In a conversation with News18, the ‘Ra.One’ director recounted his long-standing professional relationship with Kapur, which began in 2005 with the film ‘Dus.’ Despite their camaraderie, Kapur’s initial response to the role in ‘IC 814’ was a resounding refusal. The ‘Thappad’ director said “Pankaj Kapur was the most difficult to cast. He doesn’t say yes easily.”
Sinha noted that Kapur is not one to agree to roles easily, stating that the actor expressed his reluctance by questioning, “Why should I?” This moment underscores Kapur’s commitment to choosing roles that resonate with him personally.
To persuade Kapur, Sinha attempted to send him the scenes from the series, hoping that might sway his decision. However, Kapur remained steadfast, insisting instead on reading the entire script. Sinha humorously recalled their exchange, where he informed Kapur that the script was a hefty 200 pages long, spanning six episodes. Yet, Kapur was undeterred, affirming his determination to read every page.

“I told him, ‘Pankaj bhai, it’s 200 pages, 6 episodes…’ He replied, ‘I will read the 200 pages.’ So I said, okay, read,” Sinha said.
The series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ is based on the real-life hijacking of

Indian Airlines Flight

IC 814 on December 24, 1999. The flight, which was traveling from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was subjected to a harrowing seven-day ordeal involving terror and negotiation. This historical context adds weight to the narrative, making the casting of experienced actors like Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah even more critical. It is all set for the OTT premiere on Aug 29, 2024.