Operation Safed Sagar, Netflix’s military drama inspired by one of the Indian Air Force’s most challenging wartime operations, has began streaming globally August 7th.
Set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War, Operation Safed Sagar tells an untold story of the Golden Arrows Squadron who defied impossible odds. Focusing on the people behind the operation, the series shines a light on their courage, sacrifice and spirit in defining this significant chapter of modern Indian military history.
Directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, the series stars Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi.
Netflix completes ten years in India in 2026. Over the past decade, it has launched more than 200 Indian Originals, with Indian stories continuing to reach audiences worldwide while contributing to India’s growing creative economy. As Netflix marks ten years in India, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that Operation Safed Sagar, the biggest and most ambitious Netflix India production to date, has contributed over US $24 million (over ₹215 crore) to the Indian economy.
The production demonstrates The Netflix Effect — the tangible impact that Netflix shows and films have beyond the screen by generating employment, supporting local businesses, advancing creative technology and investing in talent.
Speaking at the premiere, Sarandos said, “Every Netflix production is also a local production. Behind every episode are thousands of people whose creativity, skill and dedication make that story possible. 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 production engaged over 850 local businesses, more than 200 cast and crew, and 4,000 daily hires who were employed and benefited from the filming, which spanned 115 days and 11 cities, including Patiala, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Bikaner, and several others. The businesses that benefitted included local companies across construction and set-building, hospitality, transport and logistics, catering, equipment and lighting rental, VFX and post-production, and other professional services.
Netflix partnered with 15 India-based VFX studios, engaging nearly 1,200 artists to produce nearly 50 minutes of breathtaking aerial sequences featured in this series. These VFX and creative-tech partnerships alone contributed more than US$5 million (₹49 crore) to India’s economy, accounting for 20% of the production’s total economic contribution.
“After ten years in India, we’ve seen The Netflix Effect come to life through every story we’ve had the privilege of making here. Tonight, Operation Safed Sagar is one of the most powerful expressions of that journey,” Sarandos said.
The premiere was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth; Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh; Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan; Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth; former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa; Mrs. Sarita Singh, President of the Air Force Families Welfare Association; and Veer Naari Mrs. Alka Ahuja, wife of the late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja. They were joined by veterans, the real Golden Arrows Squadron of the Indian Air Force, and the cast and creators of Operation Safed Sagar, in a moving tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the men and women who served the nation during one of the most defining chapters in India’s military history.
ICYMI
