The upcoming episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is set to feature Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Commander Prerna Deosthalee, in a special Independence Day episode hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. A promo for the episode reveals Colonel Qureshi sharing her family's deep-rooted connection to Indian history, stating, "I belong to a family where everyone was in the Army. My great-grandmother's ancestors were with Rani Lakshmi Bai". She further added, "I have not heard lullabies. I have heard tales of bravery, and I have listened to talks that tell the meaning of courage".
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's family history is interwoven with the spirit of service and sacrifice for the nation. Raised in a military household, she comes from a lineage of fighters. Her father fought in the 1971 Bangladesh War, and her grandfather was also in the Army. According to her sister, Shyna Sunsara, their paternal great-great-grandfather was in the British Army before joining the "krantikaari ladai" (revolutionary fight), and their grandmother would tell them stories of him fighting in the Revolt of 1857 with the Rani of Jhansi. This multi-generational tradition has shaped her values and commitment to the nation.
In a resurfaced 2017 interview, Colonel Qureshi spoke about her background and her great-grandmother's involvement in the 1857 revolt alongside Rani Laxmibai. "I am a Fauji kid, so I have been exposed to the Army environment, and not only that, my great-grandmother was with Rani Laxmi Bai, she was a woman warrior," she said. Her grandfather instilled in her the sense of duty, saying, "It is the responsibility of every citizen to be alert and stand up for our country and with the nation".
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat. She completed her Master's in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University in 1997. In 1999, she was commissioned into the Indian Army through the Officers Training Academy. Currently serving in the Mechanised Infantry, she achieved a significant milestone in 2016 when she became the first Indian woman officer to lead an Indian contingent at the ASEAN Plus Multinational Military Exercise 'Force 18'. She was also the only female commander among the 18 participating nations. In addition to this, Colonel Qureshi played a crucial role in Operation Parakram along the Punjab border after the 2001 Parliament attack, earning her a commendation from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. She has also spent six years with UN Peacekeeping Operations, monitoring ceasefires and supporting humanitarian missions. Her husband is an officer in the Mechanised Infantry.
The appearance of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh on KBC has stirred some controversy, with some social media users criticizing the use of armed forces for "PR" and "political mileage". Some questioned the appropriateness of inviting officers in uniform and whether it aligns with armed forces protocol. However, the episode is expected to highlight women's empowerment and Operation Sindoor. Colonel Qureshi explained in the promo that "Pakistan has been carrying out such (terror) acts repeatedly. A response was necessary, and that's why Operation Sindoor was planned". The Independence Day special episode aims to honor the courage and patriotism of these officers.
