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5 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Aug 22, 2026 11:20 AM IST
Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar, the six-part navy drama revisiting the Indian Air Drive’s function within the 1999 Kargil Warfare, has been drawing consideration since its premiere on August 7. Amid the dialog across the Jimmy Shergill and Siddharth-starrer, one element on the finish of each episode has additionally caught viewers’ consideration: a particular be aware thanking late comic Raju Srivastava.
The tribute has a deeply private connection to the sequence. Raju was the paternal uncle of creator Kushal Srivastava and, based on Kushal, performed an necessary function in his journey from the Indian Air Drive to filmmaking. He additionally knew about Operation Safed Sagar whereas the undertaking was being developed and helped Kushal and the crew by his connections.
Why does Operation Safed Sagar thank Raju Srivastava?
Kushal Srivastava spent seven years within the Indian Air Drive earlier than deciding to pursue filmmaking. His curiosity in cinema, nonetheless, started a lot earlier, with Raju Srivastava giving him an early glimpse of the movie business when he was a baby.
In a dialog with Mid-Day, Kushal recalled that when he ultimately advised his uncle he needed to go away the Air Drive and pursue movies, Raju initially joked about his ambition earlier than serving to him make the transition.
“Years in the past after I advised my chacha that I need to do one thing in order that the entire world is aware of my identify, he joked that I ought to set up hand-pumps in all places with my identify on them. However when he realised I used to be severe about becoming a member of the movie business, he helped me safe permission to go away the Indian Air Drive,” he advised Mid-Day.
Kushal later moved to Mumbai to check filmmaking and stayed with Raju, who would learn his scripts and share his ideas on storytelling.
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Raju Srivastava knew concerning the Netflix sequence
Raju Srivastava’s daughter, Antara Srivastava, who can also be an affiliate director on the sequence, shared that the undertaking was initially conceived as a movie.
“We had the solid and script locked. Then we confronted a setback as COVID-19 occurred. Later, we determined to develop it as a sequence, and round Could 2022, Netflix gave us a go-ahead,” Antara advised Mid-Day.
“This was the final undertaking Papa knew about. This can be a household present for us as our household has gone by rather a lot whereas making it,” she added.
The undertaking was permitted by Netflix simply months earlier than Raju Srivastava died in September 2022.
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In a separate dialog with India Right now, Kushal Srivastava spoke about Raju’s involvement within the undertaking and the truth that he by no means bought to see the completed sequence.
“It’s unhappy that he couldn’t watch the undertaking. However a minimum of it began in entrance of him. He knew we have been doing this and we had gotten all of the approvals. We additionally took some assist,” he stated.
Kushal later clarified that Raju Srivastava’s contribution was not about producing the undertaking or instantly getting it made for his nephew. As an alternative, his goodwill and community helped the crew attain the proper individuals whereas looking for permissions.
“He was so well-known and linked. He actually helped us attain the proper individuals by his community,” Kushal stated.
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How Raju Srivastava impressed Kushal Srivastava to develop into a filmmaker
Kushal Srivastava recalled Raju Srivastava taking him to movie units in Bombay when he was in Class 6, giving him his first glimpse into how movies have been made. He noticed a director scold actors together with Johnny Lever and Raju after a scene and was stunned to study that the director was the one calling the photographs.
“I requested him what he was doing, and he defined that the director leads the movie. I used to be shocked that somebody like Amitabh Bachchan doesn’t get offended himself; he’s requested by a director to emote. And in return, these actors could make the world cry and snort. That’s after I determined to develop into a director.”
Years later, Kushal Srivastava joined the Indian Air Drive and served for seven years earlier than pursuing filmmaking. He went on to help administrators together with JP Dutta and Anurag Basu earlier than making his directorial debut with Vodka Diaries.
About Operation Safed Sagar
Directed by Oni Sen and created by Kushal Srivastava and Abhijeet Singh Parmar, Operation Safed Sagar revisits the Indian Air Drive’s function in the course of the 1999 Kargil Warfare.
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The sequence stars Jimmy Shergill, Siddharth, Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi, amongst others.
Kushal’s subsequent Air Drive undertaking
Kushal Srivastava is constant his affiliation with the Indian Air Drive with The Final Salute, an upcoming documentary concerning the MiG-21’s 62-year journey with the drive.
The documentary options Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and pilots who’ve flown the plane through the years, combining private reminiscences, archival materials and tales from its a long time of service.
The Final Salute will premiere on Netflix on August 26, whereas Operation Safed Sagar is at the moment streaming on the platform.
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