The latest trailer for India’s popular television quiz program Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) has sparked controversy online after it showcased female officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in a special Independence Day episode.
The promotional clip, hosted by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, features Colonel Sophia Qureshi (Army), Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (Air Force), and Commander Prerna Deosthali (Navy). During the teaser, the officers are seen speaking about “Operation Sindoor,” an alleged military action linked to heightened tensions with Pakistan earlier this year. Critics quickly dismissed the operation’s claims as fabricated.
Soon after the teaser’s release, a wave of criticism emerged within India. Many social media users accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of turning patriotism into a spectacle, saying such portrayals dilute the seriousness of national service and conflict.
Across the border, Pakistani internet users seized the opportunity to lampoon the promo. Using AI tools, they re-edited the teaser to show Colonel Sophia supposedly admitting defeat to Pakistan — a spoof that quickly went more viral than the original clip.
The controversy underscores how cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan frequently spill over into the entertainment space, turning even lighthearted TV segments into flashpoints for online debate.
