Actress Patralekhaa has garnered widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Indrani, an air hostess, in the gripping Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Attack. Her performance has been particularly noted for its depth and emotional intensity, a stark contrast to the everyday experiences most people encounter.
In a recent discussion about her role, Patralekhaa revealed the unique and challenging environment she immersed herself in during the filming. “It is an intense show. The environment is such that you don't have those emotions on a daily basis. Sometimes as an actor it is nice to be in that space. I somehow enjoyed being in that space. I knew that it is not a great space to be but somehow I was enjoying the experience,” she shared.
The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, dramatizes the harrowing real-life events of the hijacking of an Indian plane traveling from Nepal to Delhi. The show delves into the intense and emotional struggles of the passengers and crew during the seven days of captivity and their eventual resistance against the hijackers, culminating in the plane's diversion to Kandahar.
Patralekhaa elaborated on the immersive experience of the shoot, which involved a large ensemble of junior artists, actors, crew members, and even cabin staff. “There were some hundred odd junior artists in the flight, there were actors, crew people, cabin people, and cameras. It was hard to be inside but I felt that space really helped me. It did something to me. I was there because of that space,” she explained.
The series features a stellar cast, including Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Anupam Tripathi, Pooja Gaur, Amrita Puri, Kumud Mishra, and Manoj Pahwa, all of whom contribute to the series’ compelling narrative.
IC 814: The Kandahar Attack is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a harrowing and authentic depiction of a critical moment in aviation history.