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Despite patchy VFX and over-reliance on emotional storytelling, Operation Safed Sagar delivers gripping aerial action, anchored by Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill and a strong ensemble.
A still from Operation Safed Sagar.
Operation Safed SagarU/A
3/5
Starring: Abhay Verma, Jimmy Shergill, Mihir Ahuja, SiddharthDirector: Oni SenPlatform: Netflix
Operation Safed Sagar series review: Set in 1999, Operation Safed Sagar unfolds against the backdrop of the Kargil War. Even as India and Pakistan engage in peace talks, Pakistan Army chief General Pervez Musharraf puts into motion a covert plan to infiltrate Pakistani troops, disguised as mujahideen, across the Line of Control and occupy strategic peaks in Kargil. The intrusion soon escalates into a full-blown conflict, forcing India to launch a military operation to reclaim the captured territory.
As the Indian Army fights on the ground, the Indian Air Force launches Operation Safed Sagar, its first combat air campaign since the 1971 war. The series follows the Golden Arrows Squadron, led by Wing Commander B.S. ‘Tony’ Dhanoa (Jimmy Shergill), as its fighter pilots undertake dangerous reconnaissance and strike missions in the treacherous mountains of Kargil. At the centre of it all is Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja (Siddharth), alongside fellow pilots Dhali (Abhay Verma), Baldy (Mihir Ahuja) and Sangy (Taaruk Raina), as they navigate the pressures of war while dealing with personal struggles away from the cockpit.
Operation Safed Sagar isn’t just about the Indian Air Force’s role in the Kargil War. It spends as much time on the men behind the uniforms as it does on the operation itself, fleshing out the lives of the Golden Arrows Squadron through emotional backstories.
That’s also where the series stumbles. Almost every major decision is tied to an emotional conflict, making it feel as though patriotism is driven more by personal baggage than military duty. The show’s attempt to humanise its officers is understandable, but it leans too heavily into emotion and some moments don’t land as naturally as they should.
The series leaves little doubt about who it sees as the mastermind of the Kargil intrusion. Manu Rishi Chadha’s Pervez Musharraf is driven by a single objective and pursues it with little regard for the cost. Vinay Pathak’s Nawaz Sharif, on the other hand, gets a far more layered treatment. Rather than painting him as an outright villain, the series shows him as a civilian leader caught in the shadow of Pakistan’s powerful military establishment, trying to stay in control of a situation that increasingly slips out of his hands. Whether that interpretation mirrors history is still debated, but within the world of the series, it seems like an interesting choice. Because, in doing so, it avoids reducing the political conflict to a simple good-versus-evil narrative and focuses more on the power struggle behind the war.
Siddharth is the heart of the series as Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja. He keeps his performance understated throughout, whether he’s training his team, flying missions or dealing with the emotional weight of war while his wife and son are at home. He never goes over the top and it’s the restraint that works in the character’s favour. It’s one of the strongest performances in the series.
Abhay Verma is a standout as Flying Officer R.S. Dhaliwal, or Dhali. His character carries guilt and is desperate to prove himself. He gets every beat right. A scene where Dhali comes face-to-face with his guilt before diving into a pool and coming out of with a renewed sense of purpose is among the series’ best.
Mihir Ahuja also leaves a mark as Flying Officer C.H. Bal Reddy, or Baldy. His conflict lies between his duty to the country and the woman he loves (Prajakta Koli), who has left her family and life behind for him. Baldy struggles with self-doubt and Ahuja makes the dilemma believable without overplaying it.
The ensemble casting rarely misses. Jimmy Shergill is as predictably dependable as ever as Wing Commander B.S. Dhanoa. Whether he’s making difficult calls in the middle of a mission, looking out for every member of his squadron like a father figure or carrying the weight of ensuring his men return home safely while completing the mission, Shergill moves between these shades effortlessly. Taaruk Raina and Adil Hussain are equally effective, making the most of the screen time they are given.
The biggest disappointment is the visual effects. For a show built around aerial combat and fighter jets, the CGI is surprisingly inconsistent. Some sequences look underwhelming and even unintentionally comical.
Yet, Operation Safed Sagar somehow manages to overcome that shortcoming. The aerial missions are mounted with enough tension to keep you invested and the action rarely loses its edge. Almost every episode ends on a cliffhanger, making it difficult not to hit ‘Next Episode’. Even when the writing leans too heavily into the characters’ emotional baggage or tries a little too hard to humanise them, the series doesn’t lose its grip. You want to see how the missions unfold, what lies ahead for the Golden Arrows Squadron and whether they make it back home.
Ultimately, Operation Safed Sagar reminds you that the biggest victims of war are neither the politicians nor the generals. It is the soldiers on both sides who are sent to fight, carrying the burden of decisions taken far above them.
Overall, a good watch.
About the Author
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment wo…Read More
August 07, 2026, 12:35 IST
