11 June,2026 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
Mihir Ahuja in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. Pics/Instagram
It feels like a dream come true," says Mihir Ahuja as he gears up for the release of Netflix's Operation Safed Sagar, a series that chronicles the Indian Air Force's (IAF) historic aerial combat mission during the 1999 Kargil War. Calling the Oni Sen-directorial "emotionally overwhelming and deeply meaningful", the actor says the project gave him a profound appreciation of the courage and sacrifice of India's armed forces.
"Growing up, we have all heard about the bravery, sacrifice, and courage of our armed forces, but being able to step into the shoes of an IAF pilot and experience even a small glimpse of that world has been truly humbling," shares Ahuja of the series also starring Jimmy Shergill, Siddharth, Dia Mirza, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, and Adil Hussain.
For Ahuja, what makes the project special is its grounding in a real-life military operation that "changed the course of history during the Kargil war". "Knowing that the operation remains the highest-altitude air warfare ever executed adds another layer of respect and responsibility while portraying it. As actors, we often search for stories that move us, and this is one of those rare projects that stays with you long after the camera stops rolling."
It was the code name assigned to the IAF's crucial air operations during the 1999 Kargil War. It marked the first time IAF successfully deployed fighter aircraft to carry out air strikes in high-altitude mountain terrain.