Actor Siddharth said he believes he was meant to portray Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja in Netflix's Operation Safed Sagar. Recalling one of the most emotional moments of his preparation, the actor revealed that Ahuja's wife, Alka Ahuja, sent him the late officer's wings, a gesture he described as giving him the emotional strength to take on the role.
Speaking to India Today's Pooja Shali, Siddharth was joined by Prajakta Kohli, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Ahuja, Mihir Bhasin, Amruta Bagchi and Abhay Verma to discuss the upcoming series. He admitted he was initially hesitant about portraying a real-life martyr but was reassured by the show's extensive research and the involvement of the Indian Air Force, serving and retired pilots, and their families.
"I was chosen by the universe to play Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja. I have never played real-life heroes, except in Rang De Basanti, where I portrayed Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Twenty years after playing a martyr, being chosen to play Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja makes me feel this role was destined for me," Siddharth said.
He added that he generally avoids films based on real-life heroes because he feels the lives of martyrs are often commercialised.
"Having said that, I don't like approaching stories of real-life heroes. In India, we often commercialise the lives of martyrs for profit. Before signing Safed Sagar, I was concerned that the project should honour them in the right spirit, unlike some previous films," he said.
According to Siddharth, the depth of research behind the series ultimately convinced him to accept the role.
"When they explained the amount of work that had gone into creating the show—six years of research, the complete support of the Indian Air Force, and the personal accounts of real pilots, war heroes and their families—I knew Operation Safed Sagar was different."
He said learning about Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's life was both inspiring and deeply rewarding.
"He was an extraordinary individual, both during wartime and in peace. It has been a privilege to explore and understand his life," he added.
Receiving Ajay Ahuja's wings
Siddharth said his preparation was rooted in the military research shared with him, which helped him understand Ahuja's career in the Indian Air Force, including his time with the Golden Arrows and Squadron 17.
"I primarily relied on the military research provided to me, which helped me understand the journey he followed as an Indian Air Force officer and as part of the Golden Arrows and Squadron 17," he said.
He added that Alka Ahuja's support became an integral part of his preparation.
"More importantly, his wife, Alka Ahuja, not only gave me permission to portray him but also gave me the emotional and spiritual strength I needed to wear his uniform and step into his shoes," Siddharth said.
He revealed that he had written to her at the beginning of his preparation, asking whether she had any audio or video recordings of Ahuja or even a personal belonging that could help him connect with the officer.
"I wrote to her and asked if she had any audio or video recordings. I knew such recordings were rare before 1999. I also asked whether she could send me a personal item—perhaps shoelaces or even a handkerchief," he recalled.
Instead, her response left both him and the crew deeply moved.
"She wrote back saying she didn't have any audio or video recordings, but that whatever I created in Safed Sagar would become her memories of him going forward. That message left the entire team and me emotional for days."
He added that she later sent him Ahuja's wings.
"She went a step further and sent me his wings. These are the badges worn by Air Force pilots and are considered an extension of a pilot's soul. Those were the wings she entrusted me to wear during the show."
Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War premiered on Netflix on August 7. Set during the 1999 Kargil War, the six-part series follows the Golden Arrows Squadron and is inspired by the Indian Air Force's Operation Safed Sagar.
The operation was launched on May 26, 1999, to support the Indian Army in recapturing strategic positions along the Line of Control. The IAF carried out missions in extremely challenging high-altitude conditions. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was among those killed during the campaign after his aircraft was shot down while he was searching for Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa.
