‘Mera bhi pehla war hai’: Why Siddharth loved filming pre-war scene in Operation Safed Sagar

Siddharth has received widespread praise for his portrayal of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, a Kargil War hero, in the Netflix period drama Operation Safed Sagar. Ahuja, who lost his life during the conflict, was a Squadron Leader with the Golden Arrows, an elite unit of the Indian Air Force that played a crucial role in India's victory over Pakistan in 1999.

Siddharth revealed his admiration for Ahuja, stating, "I'd like to believe if Ahuja sir was not a soldier, he might have been an artist like myself. He might have been doing something to do with imaging and photography." Through conversations with Ahuja's wife Alka Ahuja, Siddharth learned about his interests, including gadgets, photography, and acquiring technical knowledge.

This inspired the show's creators to incorporate these elements, such as Ahuja dancing to Shah Rukh Khan's popular song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen" from the 1993 film Baazigar, and referring to the movie during a lighthearted conversation with his longtime friend and CO, BS Dhanoa. One of the most humanizing scenes in the show is when Ahuja tells members of the Golden Arrows that this is his first war, emphasizing the actor's love for this scene.

Siddharth believes that if the story was not centered around the Indian Air Force, the scene would lack the camaraderie and equality among the characters. The actor's praise has not gone unnoticed, as he has received messages from senior members of the Indian defence forces, recognizing his ability to bring Ahuja's character to life authentically.