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Qazi Touqeer’s Fame Gurukul Voting Legacy Returns on Bigg Boss
Qazi Touqeer became famous on a singing show called Fame Gurukul in 2005.
The judges often thought he might be eliminated.
Viewers repeatedly voted to keep him on the show.
They reportedly sent about 2.5 crore votes, paying money for each SMS.
Qazi eventually won with Ruprekha Banerjee.
He was popular because people liked his personality and his underdog story.
His music career afterward was not as successful as many expected.
In 2026, he entered Bigg Boss 20 and became noticeable again.
Older viewers remembered him, while younger viewers had to learn why he was once so popular.
Qazi Touqeer and Ruprekha Banerjee won Fame Gurukul’s 2005 finale, each receiving Rs 50 lakh, a Sony music contract and a Maruti Alto.
Qazi reportedly received roughly 2.5 crore votes, despite being placed in the danger zone 10 times.
Fans paid Rs 3 to Rs 6 per SMS vote, helping make Qazi one of Indian reality television’s biggest audience draws.
His popularity was driven by his underdog image, distinctive appearance and emotional television presence more than by consistent singing ability.
Qazi’s return on Bigg Boss 20 revived memories of his earlier fame, while younger viewers encountered him as a largely unfamiliar contestant.
- Who
- Qazi Touqeer, Ruprekha Banerjee and viewers who supported Qazi through Fame Gurukul voting.
- What
- Qazi’s past popularity and reported voting support on Fame Gurukul have been revisited after his entry into Bigg Boss 20.
- Where
- Fame Gurukul aired on Sony Entertainment Television, and Qazi later entered the Bigg Boss house; he was originally from Kashmir.
- When
- Qazi won Fame Gurukul on October 20, 2005; he entered Bigg Boss 20 when it premiered on September 6, 2026, according to the article.
- Why
- Viewers connected with Qazi’s underdog story, personality and screen presence, while his Bigg Boss appearance renewed interest in his earlier fame.
Popularity and audience connection
Technical singing ability
What determined Qazi’s success?
Popularity and audience connection
Supporters viewed Qazi’s emotional openness, distinctive personality and underdog status as reasons viewers repeatedly chose to save him.
Technical singing ability
The show’s judges repeatedly questioned his singing and placed him in the danger zone 10 times, suggesting that popularity did not always match their assessment of his talent.
How is his return being received?
Popularity and audience connection
Millennial viewers who watched Fame Gurukul remember Qazi as a major television phenomenon and have welcomed his return to the spotlight.
Technical singing ability
Many younger Bigg Boss 20 viewers initially found him unfamiliar, irritating or eccentric and questioned why he was on the show.
Key facts
- Fame Gurukul finale
- October 20, 2005
- Winning pair
- Qazi Touqeer and Ruprekha Banerjee
- Reported Qazi votes
- Approximately 2.5 crore
- Cost per SMS vote
- Rs 3 to Rs 6
- Danger-zone appearances
- 10 times
- Prize per winner
- Rs 50 lakh, a Sony music contract and a Maruti Alto
- Later television appearance
- Bigg Boss 20, which premiered on September 6, 2026
Quotes
Tarun Katyal
Former Executive Vice President and Business Head of Sony Entertainment Television
“I just don’t seem to be getting booted out. It must be my luck. But more than that, the viewers just love me. Otherwise why would so many thousands spend six rupees each to SMS in my favour? Kuch to baat hai,”
indianexpress.com
“What do we do with this boy! He has proved there’re forces much larger than talent to control stardom.”
indianexpress.com
Arijit Singh
Singer and Qazi Touqeer’s longtime friend
“Apna Rockstar QAZI hai udhar”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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