Operation Safed Sagar review: Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill shine in Netflix’s restrained Kargil war saga

The Kargil War remains one of the most significant conflicts fought and won by the Indian armed forces. While several films and shows have focused on the Indian Army’s role, Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar highlights the lesser-known contribution of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operated at some of the world’s highest combat altitudes and helped the Army reclaim key positions in the Kargil and Drass sectors.

Directed by Oni Sen, the six-part series focuses less on jingoism and more on the courage, sacrifice and human cost of war. It also presents the circumstances surrounding the conflict from both the Indian and Pakistani perspectives, while emphasising the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

The story follows Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja (Siddharth), who trains young IAF officers in complex fighter formations before the outbreak of the Kargil War. Once the conflict begins, the officers are deployed to Srinagar. The IAF initially conducts aerial reconnaissance of Pakistani positions before playing a crucial role in targeted bombing operations that support the Indian Army’s efforts to recapture the occupied peaks.

The series provides considerable detail about the IAF’s strategy and the challenges of carrying out precision strikes at extreme altitudes without endangering Indian troops. It also depicts the political and military tensions within Pakistan that contributed to the conflict.

Operation Safed Sagar works primarily because of its engaging story and focus on the human side of the war. Developed with inputs from the IAF, the series avoids excessive military jargon and presents its central characters as people rather than simply war heroes.

Siddharth and Jimmy Shergill lead a strong cast, with Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja and Adil Hussain also delivering notable performances. The emotional moments involving the soldiers and their families add depth to the narrative. The series has some shortcomings. Its CGI is inconsistent, some technical terminology feels excessive, and portions set in Pakistan become repetitive. Certain events are also dramatised for effect. However, the final episodes gain momentum and offer a powerful tribute to the IAF’s contribution to the Kargil War. The use of original television footage further strengthens the storytelling. Operation Safed Sagar is streaming on Netflix. (Agencies)

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