Netflix brought together Bollywood stars, top defence officials, and war veterans for the grand premiere of its most ambitious Indian production yet. Operation Safed Sagar had its world premiere at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on August 6, 2026. The event marked a significant moment for the streaming platform as it celebrated 10 years of Netflix in India.
The star-studded evening saw the cast walking the red carpet, including Siddharth, Dia Mirza, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, and others. The series, inspired by the Indian Air Force’s role during the 1999 Kargil War, follows the Golden Arrows Squadron as young fighter pilots undertake high-altitude combat missions while dealing with the emotional and personal costs of war.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Announces Major Economic Impact
At the premiere event, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos made a big announcement about the production’s contribution to India’s economy. He stated that Operation Safed Sagar generated over $24 million (approximately ₹215 crore) for the Indian economy during its production.
Sarandos explained that the production created widespread economic activity during its 115-day shoot across 11 cities. The investment supported 850 local businesses, employed over 200 cast and crew members, and generated opportunities for 4,000 daily hires.
“It is an honour to spotlight the extraordinary courage, the service of the men and the women who served in the Kargil War. For us at Netflix, Operation Safed Sagar is also a celebration of 10 years of Netflix in India. In the cinematic scale, this series is a first for Netflix India.”
The production’s visual effects alone accounted for $5 million of the total economic contribution. Netflix partnered with 15 India-based VFX studios and engaged nearly 1,200 visual effects artists to create approximately 50 minutes of aerial sequences.
Sarandos also praised India’s creative talent, saying the series demonstrates that India has the technical expertise and production capability to create entertainment that stands alongside the best in the world.
Defence Leaders and War Veterans Grace the Event
The premiere was not just a Bollywood affair. Top defence officials attended the event, making it a historic gathering. For the first time at a premiere red carpet, the Chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force came together.
Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, and Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth were all present at the event. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh also attended and spoke about the series.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh could not attend in person due to work commitments. However, he shared a special video message for the team, praising their efforts in bringing the inspiring story to the audience.
“Each one of you deserves high praise for bringing this Operation Safed Sagar to life with such vividness and authenticity. Through this web series, you have not only revived those memories but also honoured the way the Indian Air Force changed the course and direction of the Kargil War.”
Rajnath Singh highlighted that until 1999, no air force in the world had conducted combat operations at altitudes between 15,000 and 18,000 feet. He commended the creators for preserving the courage and legacy of India’s air warriors for the next generation.
The Real Story Behind Operation Safed Sagar
The series is based on the Indian Air Force’s historic high-altitude campaign during the Kargil War. The operation by No. 17 Squadron, famously known as the Golden Arrows, was commanded by Wing Commander B.S. Dhanoa, who later became the Chief of the Air Staff. Dhanoa served as an expert advisor and consultant on the show to ensure accuracy.
Jimmy Shergill, who plays Dhanoa on screen, shared his experience at the premiere. He said he was in awe of the man he was portraying.
“I would just observe him and absorb what he was saying. He is so intelligent and technically so sound, unlike anyone I had ever met.”
One of the key figures in the operation was Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, who served as Flight Commander of No. 17 Squadron. He bravely adjusted his photo reconnaissance mission to locate a downed fellow pilot. His MiG-21 was hit by a Stinger surface-to-air missile, and he ejected behind enemy lines. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
Siddharth plays Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja on screen. The production received a touching gesture of trust when Alka Ahuja, the widow of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, entrusted the production with her husband’s original wing badge. Siddharth wore that badge on screen.
Showrunner Abhijeet Singh Parmar shared the emotional moment when he first met Alka Ahuja. He and his team arrived with a list of 70 to 100 questions but asked none of them.
“All we asked her was, ‘Ma’am, whatever you want to tell us about sir.’ I know that rather than having just a very good story to tell, this is also a huge responsibility in someone’s real life.”
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Series
Operation Safed Sagar features an ensemble cast including Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, and Amrita Bagchi.
The series was created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava and directed by Oni Sen. The music score comes from Amit Trivedi, Vishal Dadlani, Supinwal Singh, and Anurag Saikya.
The premiere evening also featured a patriotic musical performance by singer Shaan. Actor Taaruk Raina performed “Azma Le,” a recently released track from the series.
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A Historic Premiere with a Patriotic Touch
The event at Bharat Mandapam brought together the nation’s military leadership, veterans, and the creative community to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those who served during the Kargil War.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh described the Kargil War as a defining moment for the Indian Air Force and military aviation globally. He noted that while there is enough literature on the subject, not much of it has reached the wider public. A series like this will help take that story to people not only in India but across the world.
Operation Safed Sagar began streaming exclusively on Netflix on August 7, 2026. The six-episode series invites audiences across India and around the world to witness the untold story of the world’s highest air operation.
The production also marks a milestone for Netflix in India. Sarandos reflected on the platform’s decade-long journey, saying Netflix entered India with the belief that some of the world’s greatest stories were waiting to be told here. Stories rooted in India’s history, culture, and lived experience that would resonate because they were made authentically for India.
With its grand premiere, star-studded cast, and tribute to India’s military heroes, Operation Safed Sagar has already made a significant impact before its official streaming release. The series showcases India’s filmmaking talent and technical expertise while honouring the brave men and women who served during the Kargil War.
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