Actor Mihir Ahuja’s role as Flying Officer CH Bal Reddy in Operation Safed Sagar required him to portray the story of a real-life war hero on screen. In a recent conversation with India Today, Mihir recalled receiving a message from Bal Reddy himself, who praised the actor for having “immortalised” his character.
Mihir admitted that playing a real person was both exciting and intimidating, especially since he had just two days to prepare before the shoot began.
He recalled feeling extremely nervous about having so little preparation time and said he ended up reading the script during his flight. However, his initial excitement about portraying a real-life hero outweighed his anxiety. He said any actor would feel fortunate to be part of a project that allows them to portray someone who actually served during a war.
Mihir Ahuja on playing a real-life Air Force officer
The actor revealed that the series was shot at authentic locations, including areas featuring a MiG aircraft associated with the war. He also spent time at the station observing Air Force personnel and familiarising himself with their surroundings.
Mihir said he was able to carry a notebook, meet officers and observe their routines both inside and outside the station. These experiences helped him make notes and better understand the environment he was portraying.
He also interacted with the real-life officers whose experiences inspired the characters. Rather than simply imitating their mannerisms, Mihir wanted to ensure that the stories behind the characters were presented authentically.
According to the actor, the officers may be real people, but audiences are often unaware of the events that took place behind the scenes. He therefore felt that the story itself had to remain the central focus and be told in the right manner.
Shooting alongside real fighter jets was another unforgettable experience for the cast. Mihir said they were initially stunned by their surroundings and found themselves in awe of having jets around them.
Bal Reddy reacts to Mihir Ahuja’s portrayal
Mihir also shared a heartwarming reaction from the real-life officer he portrays in the series.
He revealed that Bal Reddy has saved his number under the nickname “Baldy”, which he found particularly sweet. Bal Reddy later messaged him to say that Mihir had “immortalised” his character. According to Mihir, Bal Reddy’s wife Madhavi also told him that his portrayal was even better than her husband’s.
In the Netflix series, influencer-turned-actor Prajakta Koli plays Madhavi.
‘The roles have chosen me’
Mihir has previously appeared in projects including The Archies, Vijay 69 and Sarzameen. Discussing how he selects his projects, the actor said he has been fortunate that diverse roles have come his way rather than having to actively seek them out.
He said that, so far, he has been lucky to receive offers for characters that are varied and different from one another. Reflecting on Operation Safed Sagar, Mihir added that sometimes actors do not choose projects, but rather the projects choose them.
He said getting the opportunity to portray a real-life figure, particularly one whose story is at the centre of a project, is something any actor could dream of.
Going forward, Mihir wants to deliberately choose projects that differ from each other as he continues exploring his range and versatility as an actor.
