Bigg Boss 20 started just two weeks ago and, honestly, all we’ve have been seeing lately from the show is Qazi Touqeer.
Whether he is doing something completely unexpected, entertaining the housemates, confusing everyone with one of his dramatic acts, singing, dancing or simply being Qazi, this man has somehow managed to make sure nobody forgets that he is in the Bigg Boss house.
But here is the funny part: while a lot of the younger Bigg Boss viewers are still trying to figure out who exactly Qazi Touqeer is, this is actually not his first big reality television moment. In fact, Qazi was a massive television sensation back in 2005, long before Instagram reels, viral clips and meme pages could turn someone into an overnight star.
So, who exactly is Qazi Touqeer, how did he become famous and why does it feel like he has suddenly taken over Bigg Boss 20?
So, Who Is Qazi Touqeer?
Qazi Touqeer is a singer and performer from Srinagar, Kashmir, who first became a household name after appearing on the 2005 singing reality show Fame Gurukul. And this is where his story gets interesting.
Qazi joined the show as a fairly unknown individual without any musical training, yet his charm and ability to interact with the audience were hard to miss. Qazi was often in the danger zone during the competition, ending up there a reported 10 times, yet people always voted him back into the contest. Sources report that he received about 2.5 crore votes, with people reportedly spending Rs 11 crore worth of SMS votes to save him in the competition.
Eventually, Qazi Touqeer won Fame Gurukul along with Ruprekha Banerjee on October 20, 2005. Yes, there is one more very recognizable name linked to this particular season: Arijit Singh. He took part in the competition but ended up finishing in sixth place, while Qazi managed to take the trophy.
Twenty-one years later, that fact has obviously become one of the biggest talking points surrounding Qazi’s Bigg Boss entry.
From Reality Show Winner To Disappearing From The Spotlight
Being the winner of a big singing talent reality show ought to have been the start of a very successful career, but Qazi’s journey seems to be different from what many people had thought.
After Fame Gurukul, Qazi did music collaborations with Ruprekha but was engaged in the entertainment field slowly moving away from the spotlight. He also featured in movies such as Phantom, where he was part of the well-known Afghan Jalebi song, but he didn’t become the successful music artist many had thought of him becoming after winning the talent show.
And then came Bigg Boss 20.
After nearly 21 years, Qazi was suddenly back on national television, except this time he was not there to prove that he could sing.
He was there to be Qazi.
And apparently, that is more than enough.
Qazi Entered Bigg Boss And Immediately Became… Qazi
Right from the start of the season, it is evident that Qazi wants no part of being the typical Bigg Boss contestant.
One of his most talked-about moments came when he staged an elaborate late-night act that left the other housemates confused and startled. At one point, he even leaned into the absurdity of it all by suggesting that he was not a “normal insaan.” The whole thing quickly turned into one of the early viral moments of the season.
And it appears to be the strongest suit for Qazi in the house so far. Qazi doesn’t appear to have any inclination towards doing things the safe way.
While contestants are usually busy figuring out alliances, arguments, strategies and how they are being perceived outside, Qazi appears to have found his own lane: entertain first, think later.
Whether you find him hilarious, confusing or slightly too much, it is difficult to deny that he gives the audience something to talk about.
If Qazi keeps going like this, how far do you think he can make it in Bigg Boss 20?
Tell us your thoughts, theories and favourite Qazi moment in the comments below!
