Mihir Ahuja, Safed Sagar’s Baldy, on shooting in MIG 21s: ‘G-Force is so high, tough to breathe’

On June 28, 1999, Mihir Ahuja turned one year old during the Kargil War against Pakistan. Almost a month after his first birthday, Indian troops successfully reclaimed the mountain posts from the Pakistani army, marking their victory on Kargil Vijay Diwas. Little did Mihir know that 27 years later, he would portray an Indian Air Force officer who fought the war in the Netflix India drama Operation Safed Sagar.

In the show, Mihir played Flying Officer CH Bal Reddy, who is nicknamed Baldy. As part of the collaboration with the Indian Air Force, Mihir and his fellow cast members had the opportunity to witness firsthand accounts of the war from soldiers stationed at air force bases like Bikaner, Rajasthan. Mihir confessed that hearing these stories shook him to the core, imagining being on the battlefield, flying jets, and engaging in combat.

The actor emphasized the incredible courage and dedication of the pilots and all those who fought for their country. Mihir highlighted how these individuals lived each day with immense courage, making it clear that piloting jets is not an easy task. Despite not flying any of the jets themselves, Mihir and his co-stars were fortunate to sit in the cockpits of actual MiG-21 jets that had been decommissioned after the war.

The experience was both surreal and challenging, as the high gravitational forces within the cramped cockpit made breathing difficult, requiring actors to adapt their breathing techniques to maintain the right pressure.

Operation Safed Sagar not only showcased the valor of the pilots and soldiers but also delved into their personal lives and struggles. Mihir's character, Baldy, was portrayed as a 20-something pilot who struggled to balance his dream of becoming an Indian Air Force officer with his personal life. Mihir's love interest, Madhavi, played by Prajakta Koli, shows courage by revealing her pregnancy to Baldy, despite the dangers inherent in his line of work.

Mihir echoed the importance of maintaining personal relationships even in the midst of war, as shown by other characters who also faced hardships and losses. This depth added a human touch to the show, making it relatable and humanizing the otherwise heroic soldiers.