Patriotism in Netflix's new series Operation Safed Sagar comes not from larger-than-life heroics but from portraying the people behind the uniforms with honesty, say actors Siddharth and Jimmy Shergill, who believe authenticity was the guiding principle on the show inspired by the Indian Air Force's role in the 1999 Kargil War.
The series chronicles Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force's campaign during the Kargil conflict, and follows the Golden Arrows Squadron as it undertakes high-altitude combat missions while also exploring the personal lives of the officers and their families.
Siddharth, who essays Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, said he was initially reluctant to take on the project because it was based on real events and real people.
"I was hesitant for two reasons because it's a real person and it's not just me, who's going to do the tribute of this character. It's a whole team of people. So, I didn't know what their intentions were because it's very easy for someone to take a subject like this and do it in a very easy commercial way to get applause,” the actor told PTI in an interview.
"Their intent was so pure and their research was so tight that I was very clear from the get go that this is going to be as beautifully you put it as human drama, set against the air force, set against the time of the target war. That's the best way to describe this experience," he added.
He said what impressed him most was the effort to understand the individuals behind the military ranks.
"Before they are pilots, they're human beings first and to understand those human beings, the effort that was made was amazing. I give credit to Kushal Srivastav, who's an ex-air force man, who is the starting points of this creation. I think that lent this very unique air to this project." The Rang De Basanti star said receiving the support of the Indian Air Force and the families of those depicted in the series convinced him to come on board.
"The most important thing that tilted it, where it was a project that I can't afford to miss, was one, the blessing of the air force and the permission and the blessing of the families involved. So those two things really helped." Jimmy, who plays Wing Commander B S Dhanoa, said the makers were encouraged to stay as close to reality as possible while telling the story.
"It all depends on the makers what kind of a concept they have and how they are wanting to make that. Here with this show, the Air Force have given a brief to these people, to try and keep it as real and close to real life as possible," said the actor, known for movies such as Haasil, Maqbool, Yahaan, A Wednesday!, and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster.
At the same time, the actor believes there was room in cinema for different interpretations of patriotism.
"I don't see anything wrong if a director wants to make a film, which is high octane and everything like that, it is cinema. As long as it is made correctly, then people like it... Everybody has a right to make it their own way... As long as it's good, it's going to work. Don't force your views on somebody else. Just because you don't like that kind of stuff doesn't mean it's bad," he said.
Siddharth said everyone involved in the project was conscious of the responsibility that came with portraying one of the Indian Air Force's defining operations.
"We've come into this team with an intent that the air force, we have to do the air force proud. Now, that's the kind of pressure that is very good because it prevents you from doing stupid things... But while we were doing it, we were completely aware of our responsibility, we understood the assignment." Created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, and directed by Oni Sen, Operation Safed Sagar also stars Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain and Amrita Bagchi.
Produced by Matchbox Shots LLP and Feel Good Films, the series premieres on Netflix on August 7.