“Yahan wahan sara jahan dekh liya hai, kahin bhi tere jaisa koi nahi hai” – these words best describe Operation Safed Sagar star Siddharth’s feelings about patriotism. His co-star Abhay Verma, meanwhile, believes India is the best country and we are fortunate to be born here. On the occasion of Independence Day, the actors opened up about what patriotism truly means to them and shared how their perspectives changed after starring in the much-loved Netflix series. Based on the untold story of the Indian Air Force’s combat operation during the 1999 Kargil War, the series gave the duo a closer look at the sacrifices made by the armed forces. While Siddharth said he has always felt strongly about his country, Abhay revealed that the experience made everyday phone calls with his mother feel more meaningful.
Siddharth-Abhay Verma On What Patriotism Truly Means
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, actor Siddharth said, “My definition of patriotism is exactly the same before and after being part of Operation Safed Sagar. I had very strong feelings about my country from a young age while growing up. But I want to tell you guys something I heard a few days ago from the Air Chief Marshal, the head of the Air Force, for the uninitiated. The great AP Singh said something which really touched me in a very unique and interesting way. He said every soldier is a citizen in uniform and every citizen is a soldier out of uniform. I think that’s what patriotism means to me.”
Siddharth in Operation Safed Sagar
Meanwhile, Abhay Verma recalled that after filming for at Air Force stations and airbases, phone calls to his mother felt much more meaningful. He said that experience made him realise the importance of being a responsible citizen and respecting others. He added, “All of those things it was just reiterated in my mind after doing OSS and everything just meant so much more because our Air Force people and the pilots, they live every day; they die every day. Everything means so much more now.”
Siddharth On What Citizens Can Do For Country
When asked how citizens can contribute to the nation, Siddharth reiterated the iconic dialogue: “Koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, use perfect banana padhta hai (No country is perfect. You have to make it perfect).”
He continued, “It starts from the self. I think you start from making yourself the best version of yourself. Because if each individual person says that, ‘I have tried with all my dedication to be the best version of myself,’ then as a collective, we will become something that even we could not imagine ourselves. So, it all starts at home. It’s not just about dialoguebaazi, but it’s about taking responsibility.”
Siddharth urged people to recognise their privileges, use them wisely and help those around them, while also being mindful of mental health.
We Are Fortunate To Be Born In India: Abhay Verma
meanwhile, said that India is a fortunate country and stressed the importance of continuously working to make it better. “I come from Panipat. So I have really got a chance to see the world so much more than people in Bombay do. But I think from whatever I have roamed around in some countries, I think we are living in the best country ever. Best country ever. We just have to make sure that we keep making it better,” said the Munjya fame.
Abhay Verma in Operation Safed Sagar
Siddharth added, “No, it’s also not, it’s not about governments. It’s not about politicians. It’s not about people who you think should take responsibility. If you listen to the lyrics of the great AR Rahman’s Vande Mataram, it says, ‘Yahan wahan sara jahan dekh liya hai, kahin bhi tere jaisa koi nahi hai.’ So that doesn’t mean that the right people are doing the right things here. It just means that India itself, as a country, from its genesis, with its incredible history and culture and diversity, and this wonderful world, our previous generations have given us this country.”
Siddharth further said that there is a lot to be grateful for and fight for. Quoting Rahman’s Oscars speech, he highlighted the importance of choosing love over hate and said, “I think there is no better way to understand what it is to be an Indian. Not just to be proud of who we are as Indians but also to be consciously aware that jitna bhi ho sake, pyaar aur mohabbat badhao yaar, aur kuch nahi chahiye.”