Rajnath Singh hails 'Operation Safed Sagar' as tribute to IAF's Kargil courage
Synopsis
A Netflix web series on the IAF’s Kargil War operations just got a Defence Minister’s endorsement at Bharat Mandapam. Rajnath Singh’s video message highlighted a fact most Indians don’t know: in 1999, the IAF became the first air force in history to conduct combat missions between 15,000 and 18,000 feet. ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ streams from 7 August.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a video message at the 'Operation Safed Sagar' premiere at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi .
Singh noted that until 1999 , no air force in the world had conducted combat operations at altitudes between 15,000 and 18,000 feet .
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth called the series ‘a powerful portrayal’ that would inspire youth to join the armed forces.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised India’s talent and production capabilities at the event.
The series stars Jimmy Shergill , Siddharth , Abhay Verma , Prajakta Koli , Mihir Ahuja , and Dia Mirza , directed by Oni Sen . 'Operation Safed Sagar' premiered on Netflix on 7 August .
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 7 August delivered a special video message at the premiere of the Netflix web series 'Operation Safed Sagar', calling it a fitting tribute to the Indian Air Force's historic role in the Kargil War of 1999. The grand premiere was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, attended by senior military officials, government dignitaries, and the creative team behind the series.
Rajnath Singh's Message to the Team
Addressing the audience through his video message, Rajnath Singh praised the makers for bringing the Kargil chapter to life with what he described as vivid authenticity. Rajnath Singh said, “Each one of you deserves high praise for bringing this Operation Safed Sagar to life with such vividness and authenticity. Through this web series, you have not only revived those memories but also honored the way the Indian Air Force changed the course and direction of the Kargil War.”
He underscored a landmark military achievement that remains largely unknown to the wider public: “Until 1999, no air force in the world had conducted combat operations at altitudes between 15,000 and 18,000 feet. Our air warriors displayed indomitable courage in that operation. Through this series, you have preserved that courage, that valour, and that legacy—and passed it on to the next generation.”
Filmmakers and Netflix Singled Out for Praise
Singh specifically commended producers Sanjay Routray, Sarita Patil, Abhijeet Singh Parmar, and Kushal Shrivastava, along with director Oni Sen, saying the series demanded “extensive research and technical precision” that the team had met “at every level.” He also congratulated Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Netflix India head Monika Shergill, calling the placement of the story on a global streaming platform “in itself, a significant achievement.”
Minister of State Sanjay Seth on Inspiring Future Generations
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth echoed the sentiment, stating that the series is “a powerful portrayal that will inspire our future generations.” Seth expressed confidence that young viewers watching the dedication and courage of the armed forces depicted in the series would be motivated to serve the nation in uniform.
Netflix Co-CEO on India's Production Capabilities
Speaking at the premiere, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, said: “The scale of this series and the production demonstrates that India today has the talent, the technical expertise and the production capabilities to create entertainment that stands confidently alongside the very best in the world.” The remark positions India as a credible global content hub, a narrative Netflix has been building through its expanding slate of Indian originals.
About the Series and Its Cast
'Operation Safed Sagar' stars Jimmy Shergill, Siddharth, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, and Dia Mirza. The series chronicles the Indian Air Force’s pivotal but underreported role during the Kargil War, a conflict that unfolded across some of the world’s most treacherous high-altitude terrain. It premiered on Netflix on 7 August, with the series expected to reach a global audience across the platform’s footprint in over 190 countries.
Point of View
Correcting a popular memory that tends to centre the Kargil conflict on the Army. Whether a streaming series can sustain that reframing beyond its opening-week viewership is the real question mainstream coverage is not asking.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Operation Safed Sagar' on Netflix?
'Operation Safed Sagar' is a Netflix web series that chronicles the Indian Air Force’s role during the Kargil War of 1999. It stars Jimmy Shergill, Siddharth, Abhay Verma, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, and Dia Mirza, and is directed by Oni Sen. The series premiered on Netflix on 7 August.
What did Rajnath Singh say about 'Operation Safed Sagar'?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a video message at the premiere, praised the series for its authenticity and said it honoured the IAF’s role in changing the course of the Kargil War. He specifically highlighted that until 1999, no air force in the world had conducted combat operations at altitudes between 15,000 and 18,000 feet.
Where was the 'Operation Safed Sagar' premiere held?
The grand premiere of 'Operation Safed Sagar' was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event was attended by senior military officials, government dignitaries, and the production team.
Who directed 'Operation Safed Sagar' and who produced it?
The series was directed by Oni Sen. Producers credited include Sanjay Routray, Sarita Patil, Abhijeet Singh Parmar, and Kushal Shrivastava, all of whom were specifically commended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the premiere.
What was the IAF's role in the Kargil War that the series depicts?
The series depicts the Indian Air Force’s combat operations during the 1999 Kargil War, conducted at altitudes between 15,000 and 18,000 feet — a feat described by Rajnath Singh as unprecedented in global military aviation history at the time.
