Dia Mirza on Operation Safed Sagar: the emotional truth behind her role
Synopsis
Dia Mirza didn't just play an Air Force wife — she says the role reshaped how she thinks about daily courage. Her portrayal of Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa in Netflix's 'Operation Safed Sagar' centres on the women who held families together during the 1999 Kargil War, a story the actress calls as powerful as it is terrifying.
Key Takeaways
Dia Mirza plays Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa in Netflix's upcoming series 'Operation Safed Sagar' .
The series is based on the Indian Air Force's role in the 1999 Kargil War , focusing on the Golden Arrows squadron.
Mirza described the character as the emotional anchor who united Air Force families during the conflict.
The series is directed by Oni Sen and also stars Jimmy Shergill , Adil Hussain , and Prajakta Koli , among others.
The series premieres on 7 August on Netflix .
Actress Dia Mirza has revealed the emotional journey of portraying Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa in the upcoming Netflix series 'Operation Safed Sagar', describing the role as one of the most profound of her career. Speaking at the trailer launch on 22 July, Mirza said the silent sacrifices of Air Force wives shaped every choice she made on screen.
The Character at the Heart of the Story
Mirza's character, Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa, is portrayed as the emotional anchor who held together the families of Air Force officers during the 1999 Kargil War. 'Kamal Maam's part in this story was one of an anchor, somebody who held the women together, who really connected them as a force while their husbands were on the mission and what it meant to her and the women to experience what it was,' Mirza said.
She added that the realities of life as an Air Force spouse are impossible to fully anticipate. 'Even the women that marry into the Air Force don't know what to expect. They may hear stories but you can never really fully prepare for reality when it occurs,' she noted.
The Line That Stayed With Her
Mirza, who is herself a wife and mother, said one particular truth from the real-life accounts struck her deeply. 'I think one of the big takeaways for me as a wife and as a woman, and as a mother was this line that every single day when their husbands step out of the home they bid them goodbye with a smile on their face even if they've had the biggest fight the night before,' she said. She described this reality as simultaneously powerful and terrifying, acknowledging that civilians can never fully comprehend it but can try to honour it through storytelling.
What the Series Covers
'Operation Safed Sagar' chronicles the courage, precision, and sacrifice that defined the Indian Air Force's role in the Kargil War of 1999. The series centres on the Golden Arrows — the IAF squadron whose aerial operations were pivotal to India's victory — while simultaneously illuminating the untold stories of the families who waited at home.
Directed by Oni Sen, the series also stars Jimmy Shergill, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Abhay Verma, Taaruk Raina, and Prajakta Koli.
Premiere and Platform
The series is set to premiere on 7 August on Netflix. It arrives at a time when Indian streaming audiences have shown strong appetite for military-themed dramas that blend historical authenticity with personal human stories — a space 'Operation Safed Sagar' appears squarely positioned to occupy.
Point of View
But 'Operation Safed Sagar' is notable for centring the women rather than the battlefield — and casting Dia Mirza as the emotional spine of that narrative is a considered choice. The Kargil War has been depicted on screen before, but the domestic front — the Air Force wives who held things together in silence — remains largely unexplored territory. Whether the series moves beyond sentiment to genuine dramatic depth will depend on execution, but Mirza's framing of the role as a personal reckoning, not just a performance, suggests the production is at least asking the right questions.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dia Mirza playing in Operation Safed Sagar?
Dia Mirza plays Kamalpreet Kaur Dhanoa, a real-life figure who served as an emotional anchor for the families of Air Force officers during the 1999 Kargil War. The character is central to the series' focus on the untold stories of those who waited at home.
When does Operation Safed Sagar premiere on Netflix?
Operation Safed Sagar premieres on 7 August on Netflix. The series is directed by Oni Sen and features a cast that includes Jimmy Shergill, Adil Hussain, Prajakta Koli, and others.
What is Operation Safed Sagar about?
The series dramatises the Indian Air Force's role in the 1999 Kargil War, focusing on the Golden Arrows squadron and the families of officers who supported them from home. It blends the story of aerial operations with the personal sacrifices of Air Force wives.
What did Dia Mirza say about playing an Air Force wife?
Mirza said the role gave her a new understanding of daily courage, particularly the reality that Air Force wives bid their husbands goodbye with a smile every morning regardless of what happened the night before. She described it as both a powerful and terrifying truth.
Who else stars in Operation Safed Sagar?
The series stars Jimmy Shergill, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Abhay Verma, Taaruk Raina, and Prajakta Koli, alongside Dia Mirza. It is directed by Oni Sen.
