Actor Mihir Ahuja has opened up about his unconventional preparation for the upcoming streaming series 'Operation Safed Sagar', revealing that he was locked in just two days before filming began — leaving him with almost no time for the traditional pre-shoot research. Despite the crunch, Ahuja says the experience ultimately worked in his favour.

A Character Built on Real Pilots

Ahuja plays an Indian Air Force pilot in the series, a role he describes as emotionally layered rather than technically complex. Speaking alongside co-stars Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, and Arnav Bhasin, he explained that the show goes beyond aerial combat to explore the personal lives of the pilots and their families.

'It's not just about war. It's also about what the families are going through, what the wives of the pilots are going through. Because the courage they show, that's how they become pilots,' Ahuja said. He noted that real-life officers he met during the shoot reinforced this perspective — even decorated military aviators deal with personal struggles off the cockpit.

How the Airport Became His Classroom

With no time to watch reference videos or conduct desk research — something co-star Arnav Bhasin reportedly did extensively — Ahuja's preparation shifted entirely to the airport station during buffer days between shoots. There, he physically interacted with MiG fighter jets, spoke with stationed officers, and absorbed the environment first-hand.

'I could really touch those fighter planes, feel the MiGs and then do my homework at the airport base with the officers around me. So that really helped me,' he said. He added that the first two to three days of filming were not technically demanding for his character, giving him a natural runway to find his footing.

The Lesson He Took From Real Officers

Ahuja said the most lasting takeaway from meeting actual Air Force personnel was their ability to compartmentalise — to set aside personal problems the moment they step into the cockpit. 'They live in the moment when they're flying because they have to for the nation,' he said, adding that he consciously incorporated this attribute into his portrayal.

Notably, the series appears to draw from the Kargil War era — 'Operation Safed Sagar' was the codename for the Indian Air Force's combat operations during the 1999 Kargil conflict — lending the show significant historical weight.

What to Expect From the Series

'Operation Safed Sagar' features an ensemble cast including Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Arnav Bhasin, and Mihir Ahuja. The streaming series is set to release soon, though an official date has not yet been confirmed. With its blend of wartime action and domestic drama, it aims to present a fuller portrait of military life than conventional war narratives typically offer.