Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar Pumps Over $24 Million Into India’s Economy

New Delhi: As Netflix marks ten years in India, Co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that Operation Safed Sagar, the biggest and most ambitious Netflix’s India production to date, has contributed over US$24 million (over ₹215 crore) to the Indian economy.

The production demonstrates ‘The Netflix Effect’ – the tangible impact that Netflix shows and films have beyond the screen by generating employment, supporting local businesses, advancing creative technology and investing in talent.

Speaking at the premiere, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO Netflix said: “Every Netflix production is also a local production. Behind every episode are thousands of people whose creativity, skill and dedication make that story possible. The scale of this series and the production demonstrates that India today has the talent, the technical expertise and the production capabilities to create entertainment that stands confidently alongside the very best in the world.”

The production engaged over 850 local businesses, more than 200 cast and crew, and 4,000 daily hires that were employed and benefited from the filming that spanned 115 days and 11 cities including Patiyala, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Bikaner and several others. The businesses that benefitted included local companies across construction & set-building, hospitality, transport & logistics, catering, equipment & lighting rental, VFX & post-production, and other professional services.

Furthermore, Netflix partnered with 15 India-based VFX studios, engaging nearly 1,200 artists to produce nearly 50 minutes of breathtaking aerial sequences featured in this series. These VFX and creative-tech partnerships alone contributed more than US$5 million (₹49 crore) to India's economy, accounting for 20% of the production’s total economic contribution.

Sarandos said, “After ten years in India, we've seen The Netflix Effect come to life through every story we've had the privilege of making here. Tonight, Operation Safed Sagar is one of the most powerful expressions of that journey.”

Operation Safed Sagar premiered in New Delhi on August 6, bringing together the nation's military leadership, veterans, and the creative community to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those who served during the Kargil War. The premiere was graced by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth; Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh; Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan; Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth; former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa; Mrs. Sarita Singh, President of the Air Force Families Welfare Association; and Veer Naari Mrs. Alka Ahuja, wife of the late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja. They were joined by veterans, the real Golden Arrows Squadron of the Indian Air Force, and the cast and creators of Operation Safed Sagar, in a moving tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the men and women who served the nation during one of the most defining chapters in India's military history.

Netflix completes ten years in India in 2026. Over the past decade, it has launched more than 200 Indian Originals, with Indian stories continuing to reach audiences around the world while contributing to India's growing creative economy.

Operation Safed Sagar | The Netflix Effect Factsheet

Operation Safed Sagar Title-Level Economic Impact

Total economic contribution: US$24 million (over ₹215 crore)

Creative-tech & VFX contribution: ~US$5 million (over ₹49 crore) [note: this figure is a subset of the total economic contribution above]

Operation Safed Sagar Production Scale & Employment

Filming duration: 115 days

Filmed across 11 cities: Patiala, Pataudi, Noida, New Delhi, Mumbai, Manali, Keylang, Gwalior, Gurugram, Chandigarh and Bikaner

Filmed in operational Indian Air Force bases Nal, Chandigarh, Gwalior and high-altitude locations in Himachal Pradesh reaching nearly 16,000 feet.

Directly hired over 200 cast and crew members (across 8 states).

Generated opportunities for over 4,000 daily hires

Local business engagement: Partnered with over 850 local businesses spanning sectors including construction, hospitality, logistics, transport, catering, and technical services.

Advancing Creative Technology

VFX collaboration: Partnered with 15 India-based VFX studios from Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai

Talent engagement: Engaged nearly 1,200 local artists to produce approximately 50 minutes of aerial sequences.