Mihir Ahuja has stepped into a very different world with Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar: The Untold Story of the Kargil War. The actor plays Flying Officer CH Bal Reddy, popularly known as Baldy, one of the Indian Air Force officers featured in the series based on the IAF’s aerial campaign during the 1999 Kargil War.
For viewers who know Ahuja primarily as Jughead Jones from Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, the role marks a striking change. Before The Archies, he had already appeared in projects including Super 30 and Made in Heaven Season 2, but the Netflix film gave him his biggest visibility yet.
So, who is Mihir Ahuja, and how did the actor go from playing Jughead to portraying an IAF officer involved in one of India’s most significant military conflicts?
Who Is Mihir Ahuja?
Mihir Ahuja is an Indian actor who has built his career through a series of film and streaming roles. His Bollywood debut came with Super 30, following which he appeared in projects including Taj Mahal 1989 and Made in Heaven Season 2.
His breakthrough came with The Archies, where he played Jughead Jones. Interestingly, Ahuja was already working in Made in Heaven Season 2 when director Zoya Akhtar noticed him. She subsequently asked him to audition for The Archies. Ahuja later recalled that Akhtar told him she knew he was her Jughead after seeing him in the series.
What Role Does Mihir Ahuja Play In Operation Safed Sagar?
Ahuja plays Flying Officer CH Bal Reddy, aka Baldy, in Operation Safed Sagar. The character is based on a real-life IAF officer, giving the actor a very different responsibility from his earlier fictional roles.
Ahuja has spoken about interacting with the real Bal Reddy while preparing for the part. He recalled speaking with the retired officer and later meeting him alongside other Kargil War veterans.
Speaking with Screen, he revealed, “We were with all the real-life [officers] on the stage. It’s amazing to be in their presence and listen to their stories. They lived that life, went to a war, and their family members did not even know whether they would come back!”
The series chronicles the IAF’s aerial campaign during the 1999 Kargil conflict, making Baldy’s character part of a story rooted in real events.
What Did Mihir Ahuja Learn From Real Air Force Officers?
For Ahuja, meeting the officers who actually experienced the Kargil War became one of the most important parts of making the series.
The actor has described the experience as humbling, particularly because the cast was able to hear firsthand accounts from people who had actually served during the conflict.
He said, “Growing up, we have all heard about the bravery, sacrifice, and courage of our armed forces, but being able to step into the shoes of an IAF pilot and experience even a small glimpse of that world has been truly humbling.”
Did Mihir Ahuja Really Sit Inside MiG-21 Jets For Operation Safed Sagar?
Yes. One of Ahuja’s most memorable experiences during the making of Operation Safed Sagar was getting to sit inside real MiG aircraft.
He described seeing and sitting inside the aircraft as an “unbelievable” and “euphoric” experience. The actor said, “I can’t even explain that euphoric moment, when I was in front of the real MiGs and sitting in them. I get chills talking about it.”
Is Mihir Ahuja A Star Kid?
No. Unlike The Archies co-stars Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja does not come from one of Bollywood’s prominent film families.
In fact, Ahuja has spoken about having “no background in films, no connections, just a dream and a lot of hard work.” His association with The Archies sometimes leads to him being grouped with the film’s star kids, but his professional journey began before the Netflix film. The Archies itself marked the feature debuts of Suhana, Khushi and Agastya, while Ahuja already had acting credits.
How Did Mihir Ahuja Get Cast In The Archies?
Ahuja landed the role of Jughead after Zoya Akhtar noticed his work in Made in Heaven Season 2. He told Filmfare that Akhtar saw him while taking over some episodes of the series and subsequently asked him to audition for The Archies.
Ahuja recalled, “She found me impressive enough and told me that she was doing the film The Archies and wanted me to audition for it.”
What Role Did Mihir Ahuja Play In The Archies?
Ahuja played Jughead Jones in the 2023 Netflix film The Archies, directed by Zoya Akhtar. The film featured Ahuja alongside Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Vedang Raina, Dot and Yuvraj Menda. While most of the principal cast were making their feature debuts, Ahuja already had previous acting experience.
What Did Mihir Ahuja Do Before Becoming An Actor?
Ahuja’s journey into acting was not something he had always planned. According to his Filmfare interview, he had once considered a more conventional career and was pursuing a B.Com degree. He eventually realised that performing was what he wanted to pursue and chose acting despite not having a film-industry background.
What Is Next For Mihir Ahuja?
Operation Safed Sagar represents another significant shift for Ahuja after the visibility he gained through The Archies. Rather than returning to a similar young-adult role, he is now taking on a character rooted in India’s military history.
The actor has also continued exploring different genres and characters, including his work in Vijay 69, Hindi Vindi, Shabad: Reet Aur Riwaaz and Maa Ka Sum.
