Netflix Marks 10 Years of Storytelling in India with the Star-Studded Premiere of Operation Safed Sagar at Bharat Mandapam!
In attendance were 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 Amar Preet Singh, alongside Netflix Co-CEO, Ted Sarandos
New Delhi, August 6: Netflix hosted the grand premiere of its ambitious drama Operation Safed Sagar at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, bringing together top military leaders, prominent government figures, and the creative team behind this gripping, untold account inspired by the Indian Air Force’s crucial role in the Kargil War.
The evening was attended by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who reflected on Netflix’s decade-long journey in India, celebrating ten glorious years of bringing diverse Indian stories to audiences around the world. He also announced that Operation Safed Sagar is Netflix India’s biggest and most ambitious production to date and has contributed over US$24 million (more than ₹215 crore) to the Indian economy. The production exemplifies The Netflix Effect- the impact that Netflix films and series create beyond the screen by generating employment, supporting local businesses, advancing creative technology, and investing in creative talent.
Speaking at the premiere, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO Netflix 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 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.
Hon’ble Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, shared a special video message, addressing the audience saying, “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. 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. Bringing this untold story of The Kargil War to a global platform like Netflix is, in itself, a significant achievement.Portraying it on screen with such authenticity and sensitivity is a formidable challenge. For this, I commend Sanjay Routray, Sarita Patil, Abhijeet Singh Parmar, and Kushal Shrivastava. Director Oni Sen and his entire team deserve special congratulations for this distinctive cinematic vision. Crafting cinema of this calibre demands extensive research and technical precision—and this team has met that standard at every level.I am confident that this story of Operation Safed Sagar will particularly resonate with our youth. Once again, I congratulate the Netflix team, Mr. Ted Sarandos, and Ms. Monika Shergill. Jai Hind”
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall, A.P. Singh, “I would like to thank Netflix for conceiving and bringing together such a wonderful series. The very first episode itself gives you a sense of what lies ahead. Kargil was a turning point not just for the Indian Air Force, but for air forces around the world. Never before had bombing operations been carried out at altitudes of 16,000 to 18,000 feet in the way they were during the conflict. It was truly unique. While there is enough literature on the subject, not much of it has reached the wider public. A series like this will help take that story to the common man, not only in India but across the world. I am sure audiences will come away feeling proud of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Armed Forces. This story focuses on one particular squadron that took part in the operation, though there were many squadrons involved. My compliments to the creators, the director, and the entire team for doing a very good job. I wish the series, and the Netflix family, every success ahead. Jai Hind”
Hon’ble Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth said; “Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar web series is a powerful portrayal—that will inspire our future generations. I would also like to congratulate and extend my best wishes to the entire team behind this web series, including the actors and everyone involved in its creation. Through Operation Safed Sagar, when our children see the dedication and courage of the Indian armed forces, they will be inspired to become a part of the armed forces and serve the nation. The energy and motivation generated by this web series will certainly make our armed forces even stronger”
Adding to the grandeur of the evening, celebrated singer Shaan delivered a special live performance, to a medley of patriotic songs, paying tribute to the spirit of the armed forces through music. Taaruk Raina also performed to the newly released song Azma Le from Operation Safed Sagar.
The premiere celebrated Operation Safed Sagar, a series inspired by the extraordinary courage of India’s youngest Air Force officers who flew the world’s highest air operations during the Kargil War. Created with the support of the Indian Air Force, the series brings to life the untold story of the pivotal role of the Indian Air Force in the Kargil War.
The evening not only honoured the legacy of India’s Air Warriors but also marked the decade-long commitment of Netflix to telling impactful stories from India that resonate with audiences around the world. With Operation Safed Sagar, Netflix brings an untold chapter of India’s history to the screen for the very first time, while continuing to champion authentic voices by backing emerging storytellers, whose fresh yet deeply researched vision brings this nationally significant story to life at an unprecedented scale.
Operation Safed Sagar premieres exclusively on Netflix on August 7, inviting audiences across India and around the world to witness the untold story of the world’s highest air operation.
By Keerti Kadam