Kushal Srivastava
Kushal Srivastava | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India |
| Occupations | Film director, producer, creator, showrunner |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Known for | Operation Safed Sagar (Creator & Showrunner) Vodka Diaries (Director & producer) |
| Notable work | Participated in Operation Parakram 2002 , Indian Air Force |
| Relatives | Raju Srivastava - Uncle [1] |
| Awards | Recipient of Governor Excellence Award, Scroll of Honor by C. V. Ananda Bose (2025) |
| Honours | UP Ratan Sammaan 2022 |
Kushal Srivastava[2] is an Indian film director and producer.[3][4][5] He is best known for his films like Vodka Diaries, The Battle of Ayodhya, Speed Dial, and The Job. He is an Ex Air Warrior who served in the Indian Air Force for seven years as Equipment Assistant in Logistics department.[6]
Career
Srivastava made his directing debut with the film Vodka Diaries featuring Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Mandira Bedi and Sharib Hashmi.[7] His film Vodka Diaries selected in Jagran Film Festival.[8] He also directed short films like Love Birds, Speed Dial, and Kaafir. His short films The Job and Love Birds got nomination in Filmfare Awards.[9][10] Now hje is set to bring out the unknown side of Indian Air Force through his upcoming Netflix web series Operation Safed Sagar that traces the story of former Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Kargil war hero late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja Vir Chakra. He started it as a Film project but later converted it in to a web series as he feels story deserved to be told in depth.[11] Netflix Unveiled ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ at the Inaugural Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2025.[12] The new year will feature a new action series, Operation Safed Sagar, starring Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, Mihir Ahuja, and Taaruk Raina. The series was announced at the inaugural Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2025 (SIM-25) in New Delhi.[13]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Designation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kaafir | Director | Short | |
| 2018 | Vodka Diaries | Director | Feature Film | Feature Film - Selected in Jagran Film Festival 2019 |
| The Job | Producer | Short | Nominated in Filmfare Short Film Awards 2019 | |
| 2020 | Love Birds | Director | Short | Nominated in Filmfare Short Film Awards 2021 |
| 2022 | Speed Dial | Director | Short | |
| 2024 | The Battle of Ayodhya | Director | Docu-Series | |
| 2026 | Operation Safed Sagar | Creator | Web-Series | Netflix Show |
Awards and recognitions
- Received Governor Excellence Award - Scroll of Honor by Dr C. V. Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal in 2025.
- Received UP Ratan Sammaan by Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani in 2022.
- Nominated in Filmfare Short Film Award for The Job featuring Kalki Koechlin in 2019
- Nominated in Filmfare Short Film Awards for Love Birds in 2021
- Nominated in Filmfare Short Film Awards for Maa Ki Kaya in 2023
References
- ^ India com Entertainment Desk. "Raju Srivastava Health News Update - Comedians Nephew Confirms Signs of Improvement Raju Ji Moved". www.india.com. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Rizvi, S Farah (1 September 2021). "It's not easy to quit a good job and chase your dream: Kushal Srivastava". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "It will be a proper Air Force war film which Indian filmmakers have not made so far: Filmmaker Kushal Srivastava on his upcoming film - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Talktime | 'Nothing is difficult if you are prepared'". The Pioneer. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Kushal Srivastava's film 'Golden Arrows' inspired by Air Chief Dhanoa's life". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "'Golden Arrows' inspired by ex-Air Chief Dhanoa's life". The Hans India. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood. "Kushal Shrivastav News, Latest News of Kushal Shrivastav, Movies, News, Songs, Images, Interviews - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Vodka Diaries". www.filmfestivals.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Watch Filmfare Short Films 2021 Finalist Love Birds". filmfare.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "The Job – Thriller Short Film | Filmfare Short Film Awards". filmfare.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Vodka Dairies director Kushal Srivastava wants to tell story of IAF officers who gave their all during Kargil War". Hindustan Times. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Operation Safed Sagar: Netflix Series On Indian Air Force's Daring Mission During Kargil War To Premiere In 2026". Times Now. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ^ "Operation Safed Sagar: Netflix Series On Indian Air Force's Daring Mission During Kargil War To Premiere In 2026". Times Now. 2 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.