Abhay Verma on Operation Safed Sagar: 'God chooses soldiers, civilians are undeserving of the uniform'
Synopsis
Abhay Verma didn't just play Wing Commander Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal — he was moved to tears by how Air Force personnel still revere Dhaliwal more than 16 years after his death. His verdict: civilians are simply undeserving of the uniform, because God alone chooses who wears it. It's a rare moment of genuine humility from a Bollywood actor preparing for a military role.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Verma plays Wing Commander Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal in the streaming series 'Operation Safed Sagar' .
Verma said every soldier is 'a God's child' and that civilians are 'undeserving' of the military uniform.
Wing Commander Dhaliwal passed away more than 16 years ago but is still revered by serving Air Force personnel.
Operation Safed Sagar was launched on 26 May 1999 , marking the first large-scale IAF deployment in Jammu and Kashmir since 1971.
The IAF used MiG-27 , MiG-21 , Mirage 2000 , and Mi-17 helicopters; Mirage 2000 precision strikes proved decisive.
Actor Abhay Verma has said that soldiers are God's children and that civilians are 'undeserving' of the honour of wearing a military uniform — a reflection he arrived at while preparing for his role as Wing Commander Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal in the streaming series 'Operation Safed Sagar'. The show, released recently, dramatises the Indian Air Force's pivotal aerial campaign during the 1999 Kargil War.
The Legend of Wing Commander Dhaliwal
Verma spoke at length about the enduring legacy of Wing Commander Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal, whose contributions were instrumental in India's victory in the Kargil conflict. Visiting an Air Force Station as part of his research, the actor was struck by the reverence personnel still held for Dhaliwal — more than 16 years after his passing.
'Honestly, Dhaliwal sir's courage spoke for itself. When we went inside the Air Force Station and I would mention that I'm playing Dhaliwal sir, everyone around — whoever you would meet even after 16 years of his passing, sadly — they were really overjoyed listening about him and talking about him. So, that really tells something that generations are enchanted by his work. He has been such an inspiration whose courage speaks volumes. His stories are still heard, and are taught to younger generations,' Verma said.
A Daily Ritual of Remembrance
Verma revealed a personal ritual he followed before each day of shooting. 'Before starting the day, I would just close my eyes, and I would remember him for 2 minutes. I would really try to just see what kind of a human he would be, to be able to have that kind of courage,' he shared.
The actor's immersion in Dhaliwal's world led him to a deeper conviction about the nature of soldierhood. 'As civilians, we are undeserving of the uniform that our forces wear. I think God chooses the people who would don the uniform. Every soldier in uniform is a God's child. So, I would really just listen to all these stories, take it in as much as I can, imbibe all the learnings that I have had through him, and the stories that people have to say about him,' he added.
What Operation Safed Sagar Was
Operation Safed Sagar was launched on 26 May 1999, targeting Pakistani positions entrenched on high-altitude peaks in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control, after initial ground advances faced stiff resistance. It marked the first large-scale use of airpower in the Jammu and Kashmir region since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Flying under strict orders not to cross the Line of Control, the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed the MiG-27, MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and Mi-17 helicopters. Precision strikes by the Mirage 2000 destroyed enemy bunkers, supply routes, and logistics hubs, weakening Pakistani defences and enabling Indian Army troops to recapture strategic heights — significantly contributing to India's comprehensive victory.
The Show's Significance
The series is a combined-arms dramatisation of the IAF's role in supporting Indian Army operations during the Kargil War — a chapter of military history that, critics note, has historically been overshadowed by ground-force narratives. By centering Wing Commander Dhaliwal and the aerial dimension of the conflict, the show attempts to restore that balance for a new generation of viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abhay Verma playing in Operation Safed Sagar?
Abhay Verma plays Wing Commander Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal, an Indian Air Force officer whose efforts were instrumental in India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War. Dhaliwal remains a revered figure among Air Force personnel more than 16 years after his passing.
What is Operation Safed Sagar?
Operation Safed Sagar was the Indian Air Force's aerial campaign launched on 26 May 1999 during the Kargil War. It was the first large-scale use of airpower in Jammu and Kashmir since 1971, involving MiG-27, MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and Mi-17 helicopters to dislodge Pakistani positions from high-altitude peaks along the Line of Control.
What did Abhay Verma say about soldiers and civilians?
Verma said that as civilians, people are 'undeserving of the uniform that our forces wear,' adding that he believes God chooses who dons the uniform and that every soldier is 'a God's child.' He made these remarks after visiting an Air Force Station and hearing stories about Wing Commander Dhaliwal.
How did Abhay Verma prepare for the role of Wing Commander Dhaliwal?
Verma visited an Air Force Station, spoke to personnel who had known or heard of Dhaliwal, and adopted a daily ritual of closing his eyes for two minutes before each shoot to reflect on the kind of courage Dhaliwal embodied. He said the stories he heard from those around Dhaliwal were deeply inspiring.
Why is the Operation Safed Sagar series significant?
The series brings attention to the Indian Air Force's often-overlooked role in the Kargil War, centering Wing Commander Dhaliwal's story and the aerial operations that were decisive in recapturing strategic heights. It represents a rare dramatisation of the IAF's combined-arms contribution alongside the Indian Army.
