From Rang De Basanti to Operation Safed Sagar: Siddharth Reflects on Portraying an Indian Air Force Hero, Says ‘This Is More Than a Story’

Nearly two decades after Rang De Basanti inspired an entire generation with its powerful portrayal of patriotism and sacrifice, Siddharth has come full circle. In the 2006 cult classic, he played the close friend of an Indian Air Force pilot. Today, in Netflix India's upcoming military drama Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War, the actor dons the Air Force uniform himself as Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, one of the heroes of the 1999 Kargil War. During the trailer launch in Mumbai, Siddharth opened up about the emotional responsibility of playing the real-life officer and what the journey taught him about the armed forces.

During the media interaction, we asked Siddharth whether returning to an Indian Air Force story after Rang De Basanti had changed his perspective, and what his biggest takeaway from working on Operation Safed Sagar had been. The actor said every moment of the experience became a lesson that extended far beyond acting.

Reflecting on stepping into the role of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, Siddharth said, "Everything was a learning experience because, as actors, we get paid to do things we wouldn't normally do. We get paid to pretend to be someone we weren't born to be. Being granted the opportunity by the Air Force and Alka Ma'am to portray this character in uniform—I feel that was the 'hall ticket' needed for this exam. So, it has all been a learning process. I am incredibly grateful just to be sitting here, especially in their presence. I don't think a single experience can truly teach you about the armed forces; nothing can teach you about them quite like actually joining them."

The actor went on to explain that his biggest hope is for the series to inspire young people to see India's armed forces in a new light. "If I had to name one major takeaway from this show, it is the hope that our work might shift the mindset of young people—that it might help them view their country, as well as its veterans, legends, and heroes, in a new light. For me, this isn't just a story; it is a retelling of a crucial chapter in the country's post-independence history. This isn't the story, but rather a story. There were many squadrons involved, many martyrs, and many young people whose lives were transformed—and because of them, our lives changed too."

Calling the series one of the defining experiences of his life, Siddharth also thanked the Indian Air Force, Netflix, and the creative team behind the show. "This isn't the ultimate achievement; it is merely the beginning. Thank you, Netflix. Thank you, Indian Air Force. Thank you to the creators—Abhijit, Kushal, and Oni—and to this incredible crew and all the dynamic actors sitting here with me. Thank you to everyone for making this one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life—not just as an actor, but as a human being."

He concluded by expressing hope that Operation Safed Sagar would ignite meaningful conversations among the younger generation. "I am very hopeful that this will spark a crucial conversation about who we are as a country, who our young people are, how they think, and how they grappled with the blood coursing through their veins and ultimately allowed it to be spilled in the name of their country. I am really curious to see what young people say when they watch this production. We are all incredibly grateful to be here. The trailer was truly special."

Set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War, Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War chronicles the Indian Air Force's daring high-altitude missions carried out by the Golden Arrows Squadron. 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. The much-awaited military drama premieres globally on Netflix on August 7, 2026.