Mumbai, Aug 2026 : Actor Siddharth, who plays a fighter pilot in the recently released streaming series ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, has opened up about his experience working closely with Indian Air Force personnel during the making of the series.
Speaking in Mumbai alongside co-stars Jimmy Shergill, Mihir Ahuja and Arnav Bhasin during the promotional activities for the series, Siddharth said the IAF provided the cast with an opportunity to understand the demanding life of military aviators at close quarters.
Recalling his experience, the actor said the team was allowed to carry out pre-flight checks on an actual MiG-21 before the aircraft was retired from service. He described the opportunity as rare and particularly valuable for actors portraying fighter pilots.
“Imagine you are actually doing your pre-flight check on an actual MiG-21 before it was retired. So we were the last to get our hands on those machines,” Siddharth said.
He also revealed that serving and former IAF pilots were closely involved in the production and demonstrated several aspects of flying and operating fighter aircraft.
“Our crew has actually had pilots from the Indian Air Force fly MiGs in short. Land MiGs, take-off MiGs. Who gets all this?” he said, emphasising how such practical exposure helped the actors understand the responsibilities and discipline associated with being a military pilot.
Siddharth said the experience also placed an additional responsibility on the actors to portray their characters convincingly. “If you want to act as a pilot, if you don't even do that, then, brother, something is very wrong,” he remarked.
‘Operation Safed Sagar’ is based on the Indian Air Force’s historic air operation during the 1999 Kargil War. The operation involved the IAF providing crucial air support to Indian Army troops engaged in combat against Pakistani forces occupying strategic positions along the Line of Control in the Kargil sector.
Launched on May 26, 1999, Operation Safed Sagar marked one of the most significant uses of air power in the region since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. IAF aircraft were deployed against Pakistani positions entrenched on high-altitude peaks after Indian ground forces encountered strong resistance.
The operation was conducted under strict instructions that Indian aircraft should not cross the Line of Control. The IAF deployed platforms including the MiG-27, MiG-21, Mirage 2000 and Mi-17 helicopters during the campaign.
The Mirage 2000 played a particularly important role in precision strikes against enemy bunkers, supply lines and logistical positions. The destruction of key targets weakened Pakistani positions and provided vital support to Indian Army troops as they fought to recapture strategically important heights.
The series seeks to recreate the challenges faced by IAF personnel operating in extremely difficult high-altitude conditions while highlighting their role in the broader military campaign.
For Siddharth, the opportunity to work alongside IAF personnel and gain practical exposure to military aviation equipment added authenticity to his portrayal of a fighter pilot.
‘Operation Safed Sagar’ is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
