I Wanted to Become a Pilot": Abhay Verma on Finding Personal and Patriotic Connection for 'Operation Safed Sagar

Actor Abhay Verma is set to embark on a compelling phase in his acting career with the release of the upcoming Netflix series Operation Safed Sagar. The project chronicles the historical support and operations carried out by the Indian Air Force during the 1999 Kargil War. Speaking ahead of the show's premiere, the actor reflected on how his personal affection for the country and a forgotten childhood ambition helped him build a deep emotional connection with his character.

Reflecting on the historical backdrop of the series, Verma expressed his fascination with how the town of Kargil—once a quiet, relatively unknown village—became forever etched in national history following the 1999 conflict. He shared that he has always felt an innate pull toward stories rooted in national service. He added that his school-day dream of becoming an Air Force pilot made stepping into this military-centric narrative feel especially meaningful.

Learning about the intricacies of the actual aviation operation brought a newfound sense of gratitude for the actor. Verma noted that discovering the sheer scale of the mission made him realize that the peaceful childhood he and his family enjoyed was secured by the unsung vigilance of military personnel. Recognizing the immense bravery involved in these aerial missions deepened his appreciation for the armed forces.

Highlighting the stark contrast between public life and military service, Verma expressed deep reverence for the selfless nature of Air Force officers. He observed that while actors continuously seek public recognition and validation for their work, armed forces personnel perform extraordinary acts of courage without expecting applause or fame. He described this level of selflessness as humbling and divine, noting that this contrast formed the core of his emotional preparation for the role.

Helmed by director Oni Sen, Operation Safed Sagar is created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, with production backed by Sanjay Routray and Sarita Patil under Matchbox Shots LLP alongside Mehboob Pal Singh Brar of Feel Good Films. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, and Amrita Bagchi, the series premieres on August 7, exclusively on Netflix.