Netflix's Costliest Web Series ‘Operation Safed Sagar’: All You Need To Know

Written By: Entertainment Desk

Aug 17, 2026 13:58 IST ⓘ

All you need to know about Netflix's 'Operation Safed Sagar'.

Netflix’s latest six-episode drama series titled ‘Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War’ is winning immense praise from several quarters since its release on the platform on August 7. Apart from fans and critics, the series has also been lauded by Indian Air Force veterans for its relatively grounded portrayal of life within a fighter squadron. The show is also generating considerable chatter because of its scale and the fact that it brings a lesser-known chapter of the 1999 Kargil War to the centre of a mainstream project.

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Starring Siddharth, Jimmy Sheirgill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Manu Rishi Chadha, Vinay Pathak, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi, the series is directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava. Produced by Matchbox Shots and Feel Good Films with the support of the Indian Air Force, it tells the story of the IAF’s role in the Kargil conflict, with the Golden Arrows Squadron at its heart.

The show is also causing quite a wave due to its reported budget of Rs 215 crore. At its world premiere in New Delhi, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos had revealed that the production had contributed more than Rs 215 crore to the Indian economy, which roughly translates to USD 24 million. Netflix has already described the project as its most ambitious Indian production to date.

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If you are wondering what the show is about and whether you should watch it on Netflix, we have you covered. In this piece, we will tell you everything that you need to know about the six-part saga – from its budget to the star cast.

The Show's Plot

‘Operation Safed Sagar’ is based on real events from the 1999 Kargil War. The story focuses on the Indian Air Force’s role in the conflict, and at its centre is the Golden Arrows Squadron, or No. 17 Squadron. The narrative follows fighter pilots as they prepare for and participate in an extremely challenging high-altitude operation. The series also explores the personal lives of the pilots and the families who supported them. Rather than presenting Kargil exclusively as a ground war, the show shifts the focus towards the skies and the men responsible for operating fighter aircraft in some of the most difficult terrain imaginable.

The show focuses on the conflict that has received considerably less mainstream cinematic attention: the Indian Air Force’s aerial campaign, the technical challenges involved and the human beings behind the missions during the Kargil War.

What Exactly Was Operation Safed Sagar?

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Pakistani forces and intruders occupied strategic positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control in the high-altitude mountains of the Kargil region, breaking the Shimla Agreement, which was signed by India and Pakistan in 1972. As per the arrangement, the 1949 ceasefire line was converted into the LoC, binding both nations to resolve disputes via direct bilateral dialogue.

After Pakistan broke the agreement, the Indian Army was tasked with recapturing these positions. As the conflict escalated, the Indian Air Force was called upon to provide aerial support. This led to Operation Safed Sagar, the IAF’s air campaign during the Kargil War. The operation presented an extraordinary challenge because the aircraft had to operate in mountainous terrain at extreme altitudes. Netflix described the campaign as a historic high-altitude operation and identified it as a defining chapter in the IAF’s contribution to the Kargil War.

Who Were The Golden Arrows?

The Golden Arrows, officially No. 17 Squadron, are central to the series. The squadron played a significant role during Operation Safed Sagar, carrying out reconnaissance and combat missions during the conflict. The real-life squadron was commanded during Kargil by Wing Commander BS Dhanoa, while Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was among the pilots whose story became one of the most poignant chapters of the war.

The squadron was subsequently awarded Battle Honours for its service during the conflict. The Indian government has also noted that the unit received the most honours and awards among the Air Force units that participated in Operation Safed Sagar, including the posthumous Vir Chakra awarded to Ajay Ahuja.

Who Plays What In The Series?

One of the most important characters in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ is Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, portrayed by Siddharth. Ajay Ahuja was a real Indian Air Force officer who served with the Golden Arrows during the Kargil conflict. His story is particularly significant because he was involved in a mission to locate a fellow pilot. On May 27, 1999, Ajay Ahuja’s aircraft was hit during the operation. He ejected but died after landing in hostile territory. He was subsequently awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously for his bravery.

Jimmy Sheirgill plays Wing Commander BS Dhanoa, the real-life commander of the Golden Arrows during the Kargil War. BS Dhanoa's role in the story is fundamentally different from Ahuja's. While Ahuja represents the individual pilot dealing with the risks of combat, Dhanoa represents leadership and command responsibility. He had to prepare his squadron for combat and manage the young pilots.

Abhay Verma essays Flying Officer RS Dhaliwal, known as Dhali, one of the younger pilots in the Golden Arrows. His character provides an important contrast to the more experienced Ahuja.

The series features a large ensemble of pilots, each contributing to the squadron's overall story. Among them are Mihir Ahuja as Flying Officer CH Bal Reddy, known as Baldy, Taaruk Raina as Flight Lieutenant Jitendra Sangwan, known as Sangy and Arnav Bhasin as Flying Officer Amit Gupta, known as Goofy. Vinay Pathak plays the role of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while Manu Rishi Chadha is the scene stealer in his portrayal of former Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.

The series also uses family relationships to demonstrate that the sacrifices of war are not limited to those on the battlefield. Prajakta Koli is part of the ensemble cast, while Dia Mirza also appears in the series.

Budget Of The Show

The series has frequently been described in media discussions as Netflix's most expensive Indian web series. However, the most precise publicly available figure is not a confirmed production budget. At the series' world premiere in New Delhi, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said that the production had contributed more than Rs 215 crore to the Indian economy. It is definitely Netflix's most ambitious project to date.

Why Is The Show So Authentic?

The aerial combat is arguably the show's biggest visual attraction. For the project, the production had access to real IAF bases, MiG aircraft, operational military infrastructure, IAF personnel and high-altitude environments. Netflix has specifically pointed to the combination of real locations, aircraft and military support as a major reason for the show's authenticity.