Operation Safed Sagar actor Arnav Bhasin on losing roles: ‘Director wanted me but production wanted someone popular’ | Exclusive
04 September,2026 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Arnav Bhasin opens up about Operation Safed Sagar’s success, his bond with co-stars and admiration for Siddharth and Aditi. He also discusses being an outsider and how industry realities can affect casting decisions
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Arnav Bhasin had an amazing 2026 with Maamla Legal Haiseason 2 and Operation Safed Sagar. He starred as flying office goofy in the series that won critical acclaim. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, the actor opens up about the success, bond with co-actors and his journey.
Arnav on Operation Safed Sagar success
Speaking about the success of Operation Safed Sagar and the overwhelming response from audiences, Arnav says he feels deeply grateful to have been part of a project that has resonated on such a large scale. Reflecting on the experience, he shares, “I feel really fortunate to be part of a successful project. I think this is my first project that has genuinely connected with audiences on this scale, and what has been particularly moving is that the love seems to go beyond the performances.”
Despite sharing the screen with established actors such as Dia Mirza, Jimmy Shergill and Siddharth, Arnav says he never felt apprehensive about being overshadowed. He adds, “There was honestly no apprehension about being overshadowed because, at the end of the day, we were all serving the same thing: the script, the story and the project. We were not there to inflate our own importance or try to stand out at every opportunity. None of them ever <a href="https://comicvibe.com/kingdom-vol-80-leads-as-made-in-abyss-vol-15-debuts-at-no-2/” title=”Kingdom Vol. 80 Leads as Made in Abyss Vol. 15 Debuts at No. 2″>made me feel like I was the younger actor on set. Everyone was extremely generous, both on and off camera.”
Arnav gushes over Siddharth-Aditi
From rooting on social media to getting spotted with Siddharth and other cast member during promotional activities, Aditi Rao Hydari was seen supporting the show in every possible way. Eventually, she became a part of this little gang. Calling her a fantastic host, Arnav shares, “She is incredibly warm, generous and welcoming, and over time she has gotten to know all of us quite well. She has this lovely quality of making you feel at home almost immediately, and she is also a fantastic host.”
He added, “Watching her and Siddharth together is genuinely beautiful. There is so much affection and respect between them, but at the same time, there is this natural ease where they can tease each other, laugh together and simply be themselves. They have the comfort of two best friends, but there is so much love underneath it.”
Arnav on his journey
Reflecting on his journey in the industry and the challenges of being an outsider, Arnav says his experience has been less about facing personal criticism and more about navigating the realities of the business. “I would not say I have ever had people say mean things to me. It has been more about certain realities of the business. I have had situations where a director has called me and said they really wanted me for a part, but ultimately the production decided to cast someone else because they had more popularity or a certain commercial value. Of course, those moments sting, but you also have to understand that this is a business,” he signs off.
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