Jimmy Sheirgill on 'Operation Safed Sagar': Shooting 4 am to 11 pm on set
Synopsis
Jimmy Sheirgill shot 19-hour days for 'Operation Safed Sagar' — a Netflix series revisiting India's first large-scale air campaign since 1971, launched during the 1999 Kargil War. With period-accurate aircraft and technology-driven visuals, the show premieres 7 August and could be one of the most ambitious military dramas on Indian streaming.
Key Takeaways
Jimmy Sheirgill reveals shoot days on 'Operation Safed Sagar' ran from 4 am to 11 pm .
The Netflix series premieres on 7 August and co-stars Siddharth , Arnav Bhasin , and Mihir Ahuja .
The show is based on the real IAF operation launched on 26 May 1999 during the Kargil War .
The operation was the first large-scale use of airpower in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1971 war .
Aircraft deployed included the MiG-27 , MiG-21 , Mirage 2000 , and Mi-17 helicopters.
Actor Jimmy Sheirgill has opened up about the gruelling production schedule of his upcoming streaming series 'Operation Safed Sagar', revealing that shoot days on the show regularly stretched from 4 am to 11 pm. The series, set to premiere on Netflix on 7 August, is based on the landmark 1999 Kargil War air operation of the same name.
Life on the Sets
Sheirgill, speaking alongside co-actors Siddharth, Arnav Bhasin, and Mihir Ahuja, described the atmosphere on set as energising despite the demanding hours. 'We used to shoot from 4 am till 11 pm at the base. Everything was good. The atmosphere was good. In the afternoon when there was sun, everyone used to get some time to rest. Then everyone used to come back and get charged. There are projects that find you and you become a part of them,' he said.
The actor also stressed the role of technology in bringing the story to life. 'I'm sure people will like the show as it's technology backed also. Such stories become very difficult. If the technology is not there, then the views become fake,' he added.
The Real Operation Behind the Series
Operation Safed Sagar was the combined arms air campaign launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF), with supporting elements of the Indian Army, during the 1999 Kargil War. Its objective was to flush out regular and irregular troops of the Pakistani Army from vacated Indian positions in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control (LoC).
Launched on 26 May 1999, the operation targeted Pakistani positions entrenched on high-altitude peaks after initial ground advances met stiff resistance. Flying under strict orders not to cross the LoC, the IAF deployed aircraft including 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.
Notably, it was the first large-scale use of airpower in the Jammu and Kashmir region since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, marking a significant evolution in India's military doctrine.
Why the Show Matters
The series arrives at a time of heightened public interest in India's military history, particularly the Kargil conflict. The use of period-accurate aviation technology and authentic locations adds to its credibility, according to the cast. For Sheirgill — known for his versatile body of work across Punjabi and Hindi cinema — the project represents a departure into patriotic, history-driven content that is increasingly finding large audiences on streaming platforms.
Premiere and Platform
'Operation Safed Sagar' is set to stream on Netflix from 7 August. The ensemble cast includes Siddharth, Arnav Bhasin, and Mihir Ahuja alongside Sheirgill.
Point of View
But few have attempted to dramatise an active air campaign with the operational specificity that 'Operation Safed Sagar' appears to promise. Sheirgill's candid mention of technology as the backbone of the storytelling is telling — the credibility of such productions lives or dies on visual authenticity. The Kargil conflict remains emotionally charged for Indian audiences, and a Netflix-scale production could either set a new benchmark for the genre or expose the limits of streaming budgets when matched against real combat complexity. The real test will be whether the series honours the operational record or reduces a historically significant air campaign to a backdrop for drama.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does 'Operation Safed Sagar' release on Netflix?
'Operation Safed Sagar' is set to premiere on Netflix on 7 August. The series stars Jimmy Sheirgill alongside Siddharth, Arnav Bhasin, and Mihir Ahuja.
What is the real Operation Safed Sagar?
Operation Safed Sagar was the Indian Air Force's air campaign during the 1999 Kargil War, launched on 26 May 1999. It was the first large-scale use of airpower in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, and involved aircraft including the MiG-27, MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and Mi-17 helicopters.
How demanding was the shoot for Jimmy Sheirgill?
Jimmy Sheirgill said the cast and crew shot from 4 am to 11 pm daily at the base location. He described the atmosphere as positive, with afternoon rest breaks before resuming work.
Who are the other actors in 'Operation Safed Sagar'?
The series features Siddharth, Arnav Bhasin, and Mihir Ahuja alongside Jimmy Sheirgill. All four actors spoke about the production together.
Why did the IAF use the Mirage 2000 in Operation Safed Sagar?
The Mirage 2000 was used for precision strikes against Pakistani bunkers, supply routes, and logistics hubs at high altitude during the 1999 Kargil War. Its strikes significantly weakened enemy defences and helped Indian Army troops recapture strategic heights.
