SRINAGAR: Kashmiri singer Qazi Touqeer broke down in tears on Bigg Boss 20 after host Salman Khan confronted fellow contestant Scout OP over his treatment of the Srinagar-born performer, who had been unwell during the week.
The emotional confrontation unfolded during the show’s Weekend Ka Vaar episode, when Salman questioned Scout’s conduct after he stopped Love Gill from taking food to Qazi and decided to serve him himself.
“Scout, aapko jab Qazi se problem thi, aap kyu gaye?” Salman asked, questioning why Scout had intervened when Love was already going to bring food to Qazi.
The host also questioned whether Scout wanted to portray himself favourably in front of the cameras by serving an unwell contestant. Scout denied having any such intention, insisting that his gesture was genuine.
Salman, however, criticised the manner in which Scout had handled the situation, describing his behaviour as heartless.
“Aapka tareeqa bada hi wahiyaad, bada hi heartless hai,” he told Scout.
Drawing a comparison with the treatment of prisoners, Salman said even people in jail were served food with care.
“Jail mein bhi pyaar se mug mein dete hain. Roti dete hain, thaali dete hain. Woh bhi pyaar se hota hai jail mein,” he said, emphasising the importance of basic kindness while dealing with someone who was unwell.
As Salman continued to question Scout, Qazi became visibly emotional and broke down. Trying to compose himself, the singer asked the host, “Can I talk, sir?”
Actor Mahhi Vij also spoke during the confrontation, expressing her displeasure over how contestants were allegedly being treated while being served food.
“Sir, inka bas chale toh humare haath se khaana le lein. Itne gande se khaana dete hain ye log humko,” she said.
The episode also brought attention to the wider tensions inside the house. Reports on the Weekend Ka Vaar confrontation said Salman questioned Yung DSA over his conduct as well, while the treatment of Qazi became a central point of discussion.
The incident had already attracted criticism outside the house. Former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan had publicly backed Qazi amid the tensions, questioning the behaviour directed at him and expressing concern over the way he was being treated.
The controversy comes as Qazi’s return to national television has renewed interest in his career, more than two decades after he first became a household name through the singing reality show Fame Gurukul.
Qazi won the show in 2005 alongside Ruprekha Banerjee. Among the contestants was Arijit Singh, who finished sixth before going on to become one of India’s leading playback singers.
Despite taking different career paths, Qazi and Arijit have maintained their friendship. Arijit publicly expressed support for Qazi when the latter entered Bigg Boss 20, describing him affectionately as his “rockstar” and saying his participation would prompt him to watch the show.
Qazi’s return has also generated attention beyond the food controversy. On October 11, reports said actress Wamiqa Gabbi praised him after he won Rs 5 lakh on the show, adding another moment of recognition during his television comeback.
His participation has also prompted speculation about his future in the competition. Earlier, his team dismissed rumours that he was leaving the show, asking fans to remain calm and have faith.
The latest confrontation has once again put the Kashmiri singer at the centre of the show’s discussions, with his emotional response and Salman’s intervention becoming major talking points around the weekend episode.
