A wave of emotion is set to engulf the upcoming Republic Day special episode of Indian Idol 16, as Aishanya Dwivedi, a woman who lost her husband in the tragic Pahalgam attack of April 2025, makes an appearance. Dwivedi's story is one of profound loss and resilience, and a promo for the episode reveals a deeply moving moment when she recounts the events of that day.
The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, saw at least three armed terrorists kill 26 civilians. The attack, claimed initially by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeted tourists, with victims including Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim pony ride operator. The assailants, armed with AK-47s and M4 carbines, opened fire on the gathered tourists, marking it as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region in recent years.
Dwivedi, who had been married for only two months when the attack occurred, shared her heart-wrenching experience on the show. "Shaadi ko mere 2 mahine hua tha. Shubham (her husband) was the first one who got shot," she revealed in the promo. Her words painted a vivid picture of the horror she witnessed and the suddenness with which her life was shattered.
Amidst her grief, Dwivedi expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for their response following the attack. "Indian Army aap logono uss 26 behno ka badla liya hai. I am really really proud," she stated, acknowledging the army's efforts in avenging the deaths of those killed.
The judges of Indian Idol 16, Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, and Badshah, were visibly moved by Dwivedi's story. Ghoshal even chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" to uplift the morale of everyone present. The episode aims to be a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and the soldiers of the Indian Army. The special Republic Day episode will air from January 24-26 and will focus on Operation Sindoor, the military action launched after the Pahalgam attack to destroy terrorist bases in Pakistan. The Indian Armed Forces will also showcase a tableau on Operation Sindoor during the Republic Day parade in Delhi.
Indian Idol 16 premiered on October 18, 2025, with the theme "Yaadon Ki Playlist". The show has welcomed several veteran actors and has judges Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani and Badshah.
