Netflix has dropped the trailer for Operation Safed Sagar, a military drama inspired by the Indian Air Force’s role in the 1999 Kargil War, and locked in a premiere date of 7 August. If you gravitate towards true-story war dramas, this is one to line up on the watchlist.
The story behind the series
The series dramatises Operation Safed Sagar, described in the release as an untold chapter of the Kargil conflict and a high-altitude air mission flown by one of the Indian Air Force’s youngest squadrons. It follows the Golden Arrows Squadron as a group of young officers is pulled into a mission over the mountains of Kargil, where the danger and the altitude rise together.
At the centre is Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, played by Siddharth, alongside Wing Commander B.S. Dhanoa ‘Tony’, played by Jimmy Shergill. The wider cast includes Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi. Oni Sen directs, Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava created the series, and it is produced by Matchbox Shots LLP and Feel Good Films.
Shot with the Air Force’s backing
According to Netflix, the production leaned on extensive research and first-hand conversations with Indian Air Force veterans. It was filmed across operational Air Force bases with access to real aircraft and infrastructure, and shot in high-altitude settings to recreate the scale of the mission. The story also steps out of the cockpit to follow the families and the air force wives who held things together at home.
The project had the guidance of Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) B.S. Dhanoa. “India is ready to hear this story now. In fact, it is long overdue,” he said.
When and where to watch
Operation Safed Sagar premieres on 7 August, only on Netflix. The trailer is streaming now on YouTube, giving you a couple of weeks to catch up before it lands.