'My Ancestors Were With Rani Laxmi Bai': In KBC's New Promo, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Reveals Family History

Last Updated:August 14, 2025, 21:12 IST

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee will appear on KBC's Independence Day special episode.

Col Sofiya was on the hot seat with the other two officers as they share stories from Operation Sindoor. (Instagram)

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who stood alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to brief the media after India’s airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, has revealed in the upcoming episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) that her ancestors have fought for Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (Indian Air Force) and Commander Prerna Deosthalee (Indian Navy) will appear on the Independence Day special episode of Amitabh Bachchan-hosted reality show.

In a recently released promo by Sony TV, Colonel Qureshi, who was on the hot seat with the other two officers, shared her family history.

“I belong to a family where everyone was in the Army. My great-grandmother’s ancestors were with Rani Lakshmi Bai," she was seen telling Bachchan.

“I have not heard lullabies. I have heard tales of bravery, and I have listened to talks that tell the meaning of courage," she added.

In the earlier promo shared by the TV channel, the officers narrated the stories about Operation Sindoor that took place after terrorists attacked tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Qureshi had explained why it became necessary to take action across the border in Pakistan. Vyomika and Prerna also offered rare insights into their mission.

Colonel Qureshi said, “Pakistan had been doing this repeatedly, so it was necessary to respond. That’s why Operation Sindoor was planned. This is a new India, with a new way of thinking."

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added, “From 1:05 am to 1:30 am, the mission was completed in 25 minutes." Commander Prerna Deosthalee said, “Targets were destroyed and no civilians were harmed."

Before the promo ended, Amitabh Bachchan was heard chanting “Bharat Mata Ki," while the audience shouted “Jay" in response.

Row Over Officer’s Appearance On TV Show

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has raised concerns over the optics of patriotism being used for entertainment by the private channel.

Chaturvedi noted in a post on X that the parent company of the channel, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), also holds the rights to broadcast the Asia Cup until 2031.

“Our heroic women in uniform who went on to become the face of Operation Sindoor have been invited by a private entertainment channel on their show. This private entertainment channel’s parent company Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has also bagged the broadcasting rights of the Asia Cup till 2031. Yes, the very channel that seeks to earn revenue through India vs Pakistan cricket matches. Now join the dots," she said, highlighting a perceived contradiction between promoting patriotism and profiting from cricket matches against Pakistan.

Who Are These Officers?

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh were the main spokespersons during the media briefings about Operation Sindoor. During the operation on May 7, several terrorist camps were destroyed in Pakistan as a response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The attack triggered a four-day military clash between India and Pakistan, which ended when both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10. The conflict started after India destroyed terrorist camps at nine different places inside Pakistan as part of the operation.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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August 14, 2025, 21:11 IST

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