Operation Safed Sagar Review: The fight between India and Pakistan has been explored in several shows and films over the years. Netflix’s newest drama, focusing on the 1999 Kargil war and on the brave soldiers who gave it their all to protect their country, is no different. Starring a bevvy of well-known faces, the series is a thrilling, albeit obvious, watch that
The series stars Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Amrita Bagchi, and Adil Hussain, and is directed by Oni Sen. The docudrama, with 6 episodes, is written and created by Sandeep Jain, Nikhil Ravi, Barun Kashyap and Abhijeet Singh Parmar.
Operation Safed Sagar Review
A Compelling Retelling Powered by Sincere Performances
Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar aims to put the devastation of the Kargil War in front of us, within a deep look into how it all came to be. The series, with a bevvy of talented stars, creates an atmosphere of hope, dread and heartbreak, as we watch the young cadets of the Golden Arrows squad learning first-hand what’s at stake. The series, much like other shows in the genre, doesn’t get too deep into the spectacle, but rather, always aims to look at the human beings putting their lives at risk for our sake.
The series’s best part is that it constantly keeps itself grounded and keeps itself rooted in the characters, who are challenged thanks to their extraordinary circumstances. The conflict isn’t merely a string of action sequences, but is an emotional cost of duty, resilience and sacrifice. What makes the series moving is the fact that it highlights the personal relationships of these characters, showcasing them as regular people with friends and families. As a result, when they put their lives on the line, it makes the series feel even more devastating.
That being said, there’s absolutely nothing new about this story. Sure, watching these brave young men walk fearlessly into the line of fire feels devastating, but, in the end, it’s a retelling of a story that we know and have watched many times. The performances are great, and the chemistry between the different characters offers emotional support, but there’s absolutely no nuance or difficult conversations had through this docudrama that might make viewers look at the story in a new light.
The Bravery is Inspiring, but the Storytelling Feels Familiar
The focus of the series is on military operations and split-second decisions instead of elaborate action sequences and a lot of explosions. There’s a lot of politics and heightened tension as viewers are constantly wondering what happens next. However, the action sequences are well-done when they do appear, and the on-air fight sequences will leave anyone on edge. There are no elaborate set pieces, and although one might know how the story ends, it’s still engaging to watch a chapter of history in front of our eyes. It adds to the story of bravery that we get to watch through the soldiers’ journeys, without turning into another action show without heart.
However, the storytelling is far too familiar, and the beats become obvious after a while. Although something is moving about watching soldiers fight it out to save common people, the way the series chooses to tell the story is familiar and will remind you of shows in the same genre. It follows a well-trodden path that relies on familiar beats that rely on other military dramas. As a result, Operation Safed Sagar is consistently watchable but offers no surprises.
Emotion Takes Precedence Over Innovation
As mentioned previously, one can’t deny that watching young cadets readily offer their lives for the well-being of a country is inspiring and emotional. The determination and selflessness that we see through these stories leave goosebumps, regardless of how good or bad a story is. The reality behind these shows is unlike any other and, of course, is a reason why people enjoy watching them. Operation Safed Sagar similarly creates heartfelt moments that stay with you long after the series is over.
However, if you dig deeper, the series becomes obvious. Other than tales of bravery, the series offers very little in terms of asking difficult questions or offering a fresh lens on war. It opts to remain comfortably within established genre conventions, which is fine on the surface, but makes the show unmemorable.
Final Thoughts
Operation Safed Sagar easily becomes watchable thanks to its great performances and the heartfelt story of bravery that leaves an impact on viewers. But, beneath it, there’s nothing new that the series offers that differentiates it from other war dramas. There is no new perspective, and the series, rather, trods the same tried and tested path that similar shows have done in the past. In the end, it’s fine but entirely unmemorable.
Watch Operation Safed Sagar on Netflix. Let us know your thoughts about the series in the comments below!
