Jimmy Shergill, who plays an Indian Air Force pilot in the recently released Netflix series Operation Safed Sagar, says his time with real IAF officers changed how he sees heroism. The actor, known for his work in Bollywood over the past two decades, shared that the experience taught him something valuable about staying humble despite great achievements.
The show, which came out on August 7, 2026, tells the story of the Indian Air Force’s role in the 1999 Kargil War. It follows the Golden Arrows Squadron through high-altitude combat missions while also showing the personal lives of officers and their families. Shergill plays Wing Commander B.S. Dhanoa, a role inspired by the former Air Chief Marshal.
Meeting Real Heroes Changed His View
During preparation for the show, Shergill met actual IAF officers. What struck him most was not their bravery or achievements, but how simple and humble they were in their daily behaviour.
“When you meet these heroes in reality, who have sacrificed so much for the country, you see how humble and simple these people are in the way they talk and behave with you.”
The actor said the makers wanted the show to be as real as possible. That same approach was passed on to the actors. They had to keep their performances grounded and avoid over-the-top portrayals.
Shergill explained that the officers he met during preparation were remarkably modest despite their achievements and sacrifices. That experience helped the cast avoid exaggerated portrayals of military personnel.
The series has received praise from IAF veterans for its portrayal of squadron culture and the pressures faced by personnel during the conflict. Shergill said that if viewers found the show authentic, that was a big win for both the actors and the makers.
Show Takes Different Approach to Air Force Stories
Shergill pointed out that most films about the Air Force have focused on spectacle and heroism. But Operation Safed Sagar takes a different path. It looks beyond the battlefield to explore the emotional lives of Air Force personnel and their families.
“There have been a lot of films made on the Air Force. They’ve shown the drama, the heroism and everything that comes with it. I’ve myself been a part of many such films. But what you’re asking is something beyond that. It’s about the emotional aspect of their lives.”
The actor explained what it means for a pilot to take off every day. Even during regular sorties, there is always that thought in the pilot’s mind about whether they will come back safely. The show also explores what families go through every time their loved ones leave for duty.
Shergill said very few films or shows have gone into this level of detail. He mentioned that even in Bollywood, many big films on the Air Force have been heroic, but they rarely capture the complete story of what officers and their families experience.
Masculinity in the Show Is Different from Usual Bollywood Portrayals
The masculinity shown by the officers in Operation Safed Sagar stands in contrast to the aggressive portrayals often seen in Indian films. In recent times, Bollywood has seen more hypermasculine and alpha-male characters on screen.
When asked about this, Shergill said there is nothing wrong with playing such roles. He explained that cinema needs varied portrayals, and an actor’s job is to play different characters.
“If everyone starts doing the same portrayal toh difference kya reh jayega. If I get a testosterone-y kind of a role, I would do it gladly. I am an actor and it’s my job to play different roles. I will play a subtle role with the same dedication as I will do an aggressive, hypermasculine role.”
The actor argued that whether a role demands subtlety or an aggressive personality, he would approach it with the same commitment.
Returning to Air Force Roles Brought Back Memories
Shergill has played Air Force officers before. He was in Agnipankh (2004) and Dharti (2011). Getting to play another IAF role brought back those memories.
“When I was at the airbase, I straightaway went back to 2001-02 when I was shooting for Agnipankh and then later on to 2010 when I was shooting for Dharti and doing the same things I was doing back then.”
During those earlier films, he was learning from more experienced actors on set. This time, he had four young actors looking up to him. Shergill praised this young crop of actors, which includes Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina and Arnav Bhasin.
“The boys are brilliant and more than what they took away from me or I took away from them, it’s important to say that they were brilliant in their characters. I was part of scenes where they were performing in front of me and I was so happy to see them do so well.”
The veteran actor said he was impressed while watching them perform and appreciated the confidence they brought to their roles.
Shooting at High Altitudes Was Tough
The production involved significant physical demands. Much of the shoot was done at 16,500 feet, with many actors spending weeks at 13,000 feet to acclimatise. The real Operation Safed Sagar was conducted at 18,000 feet above sea level.
Shergill was there for 10 days of shooting. He acknowledged that while he had worked at such altitudes before, this time the field was different and more raw.
“You have to go there a few days before you shoot to acclimatise. I told them you guys deserve some kind of an award for being here for one and a half months. So many of them fell sick but that is the kind of passion which drove them.”
Youngsters Should Know About These Heroes
During promotion for the show, Shergill also spoke about why the younger generation needs to know about the courage and sacrifices of India’s soldiers and Air Force personnel.
He shared that when he was young, almost everyone he knew wanted to join the armed forces. He had scored over 90% but still fell short of the cut-off marks. The competition was tough.
Today, he feels many youngsters are not interested in joining the forces. He questioned what would happen if everyone just wants to make films and reels instead of serving the nation.
“Hence, it’s important for our younger generation to know about these heroes who sacrificed their lives for their country. They should see this show and say, ‘I want to join the Air Force’.”
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Series Premiere and Cast
Operation Safed Sagar premiered on Netflix on August 7, 2026. The series is directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava. Srivastava is a former Air Force officer, which added authenticity to the series.
The show features Siddharth as Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, alongside Shergill. The cast also includes Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi.
The series was produced by Matchbox Shots LLP and Feel Good Films.
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