Operation Safed Sagar: Manu Rishi Chadha Wins Praise For Restrained Musharraf Portrayal

Actor Manu Rishi Chadha says his portrayal of former Pakistan Army chief Pervez Musharraf in Netflix’s war drama Operation Safed Sagar has brought him an unusual mix of appreciation and anger from viewers.

“People have told me, ‘If we didn't love you, we would only hate you’,” Chadha said, describing the reaction as a strange kind of “love filled with hate” for the character.

Chadha has been praised for his restrained performance as Musharraf, who was Pakistan’s army chief during the 1999 Kargil War. The series portrays the political and military manoeuvring surrounding the conflict alongside the Indian Air Force’s operations.

The six episode series, directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, premiered globally on Netflix on August 7. It follows the Golden Arrows Squadron and its young fighter pilots as they undertake dangerous high altitude combat missions during the Kargil conflict.

Chadha said he has received lengthy messages from viewers who were deeply affected by the events of 1999, including people connected with the armed forces.

“I have been receiving long messages from people who were deeply hurt by what happened in 1999,” he said, adding that while forgiving Pakistan might be easier for some, forgiving Musharraf was more difficult.

The actor also admitted he initially worried that audiences might confuse him with the character because of the negative nature of the role. His earlier comic performances, he said, helped viewers understand that Musharraf was only a character he was portraying.

Rather than playing Musharraf as a stereotypical villain, Chadha chose a quiet and controlled approach. He studied archival videos and interviews to understand the former military ruler’s mannerisms, speech and personality.

Chadha also credited actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui with influencing his approach. Siddiqui had earlier advised him to rely on the actor’s understanding of human behaviour rather than simply imitate a real person.

The actor said he deliberately worked on stillness and restraint, believing that the eyes and expressions should communicate emotion before dialogue.

His approach has drawn praise from viewers and critics. India Today noted that Chadha avoids exaggerated menace, while the Indian Express described his performance as a standout element of the show.

The series has also attracted considerable attention since its release. Netflix’s announcement described it as an account of the Indian Air Force’s challenging wartime operation during the Kargil conflict, while recent reports said the show has performed strongly internationally.

The ensemble cast includes Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Adil Hussain, Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin and Amrita Bagchi.

Chadha, whose credits include Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Mithya, Ankhon Dekhi, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, said the renewed recognition has been gratifying.

“Sometimes you get love, sometimes you don't. I survived even when I wasn't getting that love, and now that I am getting it, I will live even more,” he said.

Operation Safed Sagar is currently streaming on Netflix.