New Delhi: Jimmy Shergill-starrer Operation Safed Sagar contributed Rs 215 crore to the Indian economy, making it one of Netflix’s biggest productions in India.
Speaking at an event organised by the Indian Express, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed the impact made by the Kargil War drama.
“We ensured an economic impact of $24 million from the production of just that one show. We worked with over 800 vendors across more than nine cities over 115 days of production of just that one show,” Sarandos said.
The scale of the series extended well beyond filming. Sarandos revealed that Rs 49 crore was spent on visual effects alone, highlighting the growing role of India’s VFX industry in supporting large-scale global streaming productions.
“We employed 200 local cast and crew members, in addition to 4,000 daily hires,” he added.
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The war story
Starring Siddharth and Jimmy Shergill, Operation Safed Sagar chronicles the Indian Air Force’s crucial role during the Kargil War. To ensure authenticity, the filming took place at operational Indian Air Force bases as well as high-altitude locations in Himachal Pradesh, generating business for local vendors, regional services, and production crews.
Sarandos said the series reflects Netflix’s approach to local storytelling while creating a broader economic impact.
“Behind every episode are thousands of people whose creativity, skill and dedication make that story possible. The scale of this series and the production demonstrates that India today has the talent, the technical expertise and the production capabilities to create entertainment that stands confidently alongside the very best in the world,” he said.
The series premiered at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi ahead of its release on Netflix on Friday. It follows a group of fighter pilots as they go on a high-stakes mission while also exploring the political decisions and military strategy unfolding in the backdrop during the conflict.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)