Who Is Qazi Touqeer? Bigg Boss 20 Contestant, Fame Gurukul Winner and Arijit Singh Connection

Qazi Touqeer is back in the spotlight with Bigg Boss 20, nearly 21 years after he became a household name through the singing reality show Fame Gurukul. The singer and performer entered Salman Khan’s reality show on September 6, 2026, bringing renewed attention to his career, his 2005 victory and his long-standing friendship with singer Arijit Singh.

For viewers who remember Indian television in the mid-2000s, Qazi is a familiar face. For a younger generation, Bigg Boss 20 is introducing the Srinagar-born performer to a new audience.

Who Is Qazi Touqeer?

Qazi Touqeer is a singer and performer from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, who rose to national prominence after winning Fame Gurukul in 2005.

The Sony reality show brought together aspiring singers competing for a professional music career. Qazi became one of the most recognisable contestants and ultimately won the competition alongside Ruprekha Banerjee.

Their victory made Qazi a prominent name in Indian reality television and opened opportunities for him in music and entertainment.

Qazi Touqeer and Fame Gurukul

Qazi Touqeer’s biggest breakthrough came with Fame Gurukul in 2005.

He and Ruprekha Banerjee were declared the winners of the reality show. The pair subsequently worked together on music projects, including the album Qazi-Ruprekha Jodi No. 1 and the song “Yeh Pal.”

Qazi’s Fame Gurukul victory remains the defining milestone of his early career and is the reason he is still closely associated with the reality-show format more than two decades later.

Did Qazi Touqeer Beat Arijit Singh in Fame Gurukul?

This is one of the most searched questions about Qazi Touqeer.

Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh were contestants on the same season of Fame Gurukul in 2005. However, it would be inaccurate to say that Qazi defeated Arijit in the finale.

Arijit was eliminated before the final stage, while Qazi and Ruprekha went on to win the competition.

This distinction is important because Qazi and Arijit have remained connected long after their reality-show days.

What Is Qazi Touqeer’s Connection With Arijit Singh?

Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh became friends during Fame Gurukul.

Qazi has spoken warmly about Arijit over the years and has described him as a close friend, brother and family. In 2026, the two reunited in Jiaganj, West Bengal, Arijit’s hometown.

Qazi later spoke about the reunion and praised Arijit’s dedication to music. In a recent interview, he described Arijit as a genuine and highly talented person and recalled spending time with him, including playing cricket and watching him work on music.

The friendship has attracted renewed attention because Arijit went on to become one of India’s biggest playback singers, while Qazi has now returned to television through Bigg Boss 20.

Was Qazi Touqeer in Afghan Jalebi?

Yes, Qazi Touqeer appeared in the music video for “Afghan Jalebi (Ya Baba)”, from the 2015 film Phantom, starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif.

However, Qazi was not the original singer of the song.

The track was sung by Pakistani singer Syed Asrar Shah, while Qazi appeared in the video and lip-synced to the song. Contemporary coverage from India Today and NDTV identifies Asrar as the singer and Qazi as the Fame Gurukul winner featured in the video.

Qazi has also been associated with his own performance of the song, which may explain why his name is sometimes linked to Afghan Jalebi in online searches.

What Did Qazi Touqeer Do After Fame Gurukul?

After his Fame Gurukul victory, Qazi continued working in music and entertainment.

He worked on music projects with Ruprekha Banerjee and remained associated with live performances and other entertainment activities. His appearance in the Afghan Jalebi music video also brought him back into the public eye years after his reality-show victory.

Although he did not achieve the same level of mainstream playback success as some of his former contemporaries, Qazi remained connected to music and performance.

His recent reunion with Arijit Singh has also brought renewed attention to his life after Fame Gurukul.

Qazi Touqeer Enters Bigg Boss 20

Qazi Touqeer is now a contestant on Bigg Boss 20, hosted by Salman Khan.

The season premiered on September 6, 2026, with Qazi joining a diverse group of contestants from television, films, music, social media and other backgrounds.

His participation marks a major return to reality television for the singer, who first became famous through the format in 2005.

His early days in the house have already generated attention, particularly following his confrontation with Yung DSA. The incident has also led viewers to compare Qazi’s behaviour with former Bigg Boss contestants.

Qazi Touqeer’s Bigg Boss 20 Journey

Qazi’s entry gives Bigg Boss 20 a contestant with an unusual reality-TV history. Unlike many of the show’s newer participants, he was already a recognised television personality more than two decades ago.

His journey is also likely to attract viewers interested in his connection with Arijit Singh and his career following Fame Gurukul.

Whether Qazi can recreate the popularity he enjoyed during the 2005 singing competition remains to be seen, but his return has certainly put his name back in the spotlight.

Qazi Touqeer: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Name	Qazi Touqeer
Profession	Singer and performer
Known for	Fame Gurukul
Fame Gurukul year	2005
Fame Gurukul result	Winner with Ruprekha Banerjee
Bigg Boss season	Bigg Boss 20
Bigg Boss host	Salman Khan
Arijit Singh connection	Former Fame Gurukul contestant and longtime friend
Notable music-video appearance	“Afghan Jalebi” from Phantom

FAQs

Who is Qazi Touqeer?

Qazi Touqeer is a singer and performer from Srinagar who became famous after winning Fame Gurukul in 2005 alongside Ruprekha Banerjee.

Is Qazi Touqeer in Bigg Boss 20?

Yes. Qazi Touqeer is one of the contestants on Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 20, which premiered on September 6, 2026.

Did Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh participate in Fame Gurukul together?

Yes. Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh were both contestants on Fame Gurukul in 2005. Arijit was eliminated before the final, while Qazi and Ruprekha won the competition.

Is Qazi Touqeer the singer of Afghan Jalebi?

No. The original “Afghan Jalebi (Ya Baba)” was sung by Syed Asrar Shah. Qazi Touqeer appeared in the music video and lip-synced to the song.

What is Qazi Touqeer’s connection with Arijit Singh?

Qazi and Arijit became friends while participating in Fame Gurukul. Qazi has continued to describe Arijit as a close friend and recently reunited with him in Jiaganj in 2026.