Abhay Verma on Netflix’s 'Operation Safed Sagar': "I Wanted to Be a Pilot When I Was in School"

Actor Abhay Verma is gearing up for a major career milestone with his upcoming Netflix series, Operation Safed Sagar. Highlighting the Indian Air Force's (IAF) crucial interventions and immense support during the 1999 Kargil War, the show promises a gripping narrative of bravery. Just a day ahead of its premiere, Verma opened up about his deep-rooted connection to the project and his lifelong admiration for the armed forces.

A Childhood Dream Realised on Screen

For Verma, stepping into the patriotic space felt incredibly natural. He revealed that his connection to the story stems from a personal, long-held fascination with aviation and his country.

"I feel connected to everything related to my country, for some reason or the other," Verma shared. "Maybe I wanted to become a pilot when I was in school, so perhaps that was one of the reasons."

Reflecting on the historical significance of the Kargil War, the actor expressed his amazement at how a relatively unknown village became the focal point of a defining national victory. "I think you cannot not know about Kargil, even if you don’t know about the war. A war happened there, we won, and then it became what it became. So, it’s quite incredible."

The "Godly" Sacrifice of the Armed Forces

Learning the intricate details of the IAF’s real-life missions profoundly impacted the actor, giving him a newfound appreciation for the peace he grew up with.

"When I got to know about the entire operation that the Air Force had carried out, I was like, 'This can actually happen, and this has happened.' This is the reason why my family and I have been sleeping peacefully all these nights," he noted, crediting the IAF for his peaceful childhood.

Verma was particularly struck by the selflessness of the officers, drawing a poignant contrast between the entertainment profession and the military:

"Making the kind of sacrifices that Air Force officers do and asking for nothing in return, not even recognition, is incredible. As actors, we always crave recognition, and I don’t know how to live without it. So, doing everything for the country and then not asking for anything in return is just the biggest sacrifice. I don’t think that’s human enough. It’s almost godly. So, the emotional connection came right through that."

A Powerhouse Ensemble Takes Flight

Set to premiere exclusively on Netflix tomorrow, August 7, the highly anticipated series brings together a formidable team both in front of and behind the camera. Directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, the project is backed by producers Sanjay Routray and Sarita Patil of Matchbox Shots LLP, alongside Mehboob Pal Singh Brar of Feel Good Films.

Joining Verma on screen is a stellar ensemble cast featuring Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, and Adil Hussain. The massive lineup is further rounded out by strong supporting performances from Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, and Amrita Bagchi.