Why Operation Safed Sagar ends every episode with a Raju Srivastav tribute

Every episode of Operation Safed Sagar ends with a note thanking late comedian Raju Srivastav. The tribute reflects his personal connection to the Netflix series, which co-creator Kushal Srivastava said would not have been possible without his support.The Jimmy Shergill and Siddharth-starrer also carried emotional value for the family because it was among the last projects Raju Srivastav knew about before his death in September 2022. The project was first planned as a film before it was later reworked as a series and approved by Netflix in May 2022.In an interview with AajTak.in, Kushal explained why he chose to include his uncle's name in the credits and recalled how Raju supported him throughout his career.Raju Srivastav was Kushal's first teacher in storytellingKushal served in the Indian Air Force for seven years. He joined the force in December 1999, shortly after the Kargil War, and continued serving until 2016. He later moved to Mumbai to study filmmaking.Kushal said he had grown up visiting Raju's sets and learnt the art of storytelling by watching him work.He recalled that Raju was his first real teacher when it came to understanding how stories were told. After leaving the Air Force, Kushal stayed with his uncle in Mumbai while studying filmmaking.Kushal also remembered his uncle's involvement in his early work. His first film, Vodka Diaries (2018), also carried a special mention for Raju Srivastav.Raju helped Kushal with his writing and researchFor Kushal, Raju was not just an uncle but also the family's first entertainer. He said that the family would see Raju's jokes and acts before they reached audiences.As Kushal began writing himself, he would show his work to Raju, who helped him improve it.The initial writing and research for Operation Safed Sagar began in 2018. Kushal said he conducted some of the early research while sitting in Raju's office. His uncle also helped him obtain permissions from different ministries for the project.According to Kushal, Raju was well acquainted with several politicians and ministers, which helped the team while seeking permissions.Kushal revealed that Operation Safed Sagar was initially conceived as a film. He later began developing it as a series with Raju's daughter, Antara Srivastav, in 2018. Antara is also associated with the project as an associate director.The series is based around the Indian Air Force, a connection that also holds personal significance for Kushal given his own years of service.Remembering Raju, Kushal spoke about his ability to connect with people across political lines. He recalled how the comedian would mimic prominent leaders to their faces without offending them.For Kushal, the special mention in Operation Safed Sagar is ultimately a tribute to the family member who supported him from the beginning.“Raju sir is the elder of our family and, from my side, this series is a tribute to him,” Kushal said.Raju Srivastav worked in television and films for nearly three decades. He was particularly known for his observational stand-up comedy and the popular character Gajodhar Bhaiya. He died in 2022 at the age of 58.- EndsWith inputs from Anugrah Mishra.Published By: shweta keshriPublished On: Aug 20, 2026 10:39 IST