Netflix’s 'Operation Safed Sagar' has a special tribute for Raju Srivastava. Here’s why

Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar has caught viewers’ attention not just for its portrayal of the Indian Air Force’s role in the 1999 Kargil War, but also for a heartfelt tribute that appears at the end of every episode. The six-part series, starring Jimmy Shergill and Siddharth, carries a special note thanking late comedian Raju Srivastava.

The tribute has a deeply personal connection to the show. Raju Srivastava was the paternal uncle of co-creator Kushal Srivastava and played an important role in his journey from the Indian Air Force to filmmaking. According to an interview with mid-day, Kushal revealed that his uncle supported his decision to leave the Air Force and pursue cinema.

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Raju Srivastava helped Kushal enter filmmaking

Kushal, who served in the Indian Air Force for seven years, recalled telling Raju that he wanted to achieve something that would make him known around the world. Raju initially responded with a joke, but later recognised his nephew’s seriousness about entering the film industry.

“Years ago when I told my chacha that I want to do something so that the whole world knows my name, he joked that I should install hand-pumps everywhere with my name on them. But when he realised I was serious about joining the film industry, he helped me secure permission to leave the Indian Air Force,” Kushal told mid-day.

Kushal eventually moved to Mumbai to pursue filmmaking and later directed Vodka Diaries in 2018. He subsequently began developing Operation Safed Sagar with Raju’s daughter, Antara Srivastava.

From film to Netflix series

The project was initially planned as a feature film. However, the makers had to rethink their plans after the Covid-19 pandemic. Antara recalled that the team had already finalised the cast and script before deciding to turn it into a series.

“We had the cast and script locked. Then we faced a setback as COVID-19 happened. Later, we decided to develop it as a series, and around May 2022, Netflix gave us a go-ahead,” Antara told mid-day.

Raju Srivastava died in September 2022, only a few months after Netflix approved the project. For his family, the series therefore became much more than another professional assignment.

“This was the last project Papa knew about. This is a family show for us as our family has gone through a lot while making it,” Antara said.

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Why the tribute appears in every episode

The makers have chosen to acknowledge Raju Srivastava at the end of every episode as a tribute to his contribution and encouragement. While he did not produce the series or directly make the project happen, his support and connections helped Kushal navigate the early stages of his filmmaking journey.

Operation Safed Sagar, directed by Oni Sen and created by Kushal Srivastava and Abhijeet Singh Parmar, revisits the Indian Air Force’s role during the Kargil War. The series also features Abhay Verma, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi, among others.