SRINAGAR: Kashmiri singer Qazi Touqeer has emerged as one of the early talking points of Bigg Boss 20, drawing strong praise from host Salman Khan and support from fellow artistes including Arijit Singh and actor Hina Khan, according to media reports.
During the first Weekend Ka Vaar episode of the reality show, Salman singled out Qazi for his performance during the week, telling the contestants that there was “only one rockstar” among them and praising Qazi for the way he had played the game.
“Let me tell you guys, no matter how many stars exist in this house, there’s only one rockstar amongst you all. Qazi Touqeer, the entire week you played quite well,” Salman was quoted as saying in media reports.
The Bollywood star also drew attention to Qazi’s long journey in the entertainment industry, recalling his early success in Fame Gurukul in 2005 and his association with Arijit Singh. Salman asked Qazi what he had done during the two decades since his early success. Qazi replied that he had continued performing live shows.
Salman also told Qazi that while people had initially questioned his singing, they were now praising him for his performance and sense of humour on Bigg Boss.
Reflecting on Qazi’s career trajectory, Salman compared his experience with the difficult phases faced by established stars such as Hollywood actor John Travolta and Bollywood actor Bobby Deol. He said periods of decline were part of life and that people needed to work harder during difficult phases rather than give up.
Salman particularly praised Qazi for remaining mentally strong after achieving success early in his career and subsequently going through a less prominent phase.
According to the reports, Qazi’s journey back into the spotlight has also revived interest in his connection with Kashmir and his years in the music industry.
In another episode, Qazi reportedly spoke about a concert he had planned in Kashmir that was cancelled without, according to his account, an explanation being provided to him. Referring to a subsequent concert by singer Sonu Nigam, Qazi questioned why his own programme had been cancelled while Nigam’s could go ahead.
“Main local hoon, mera concert cancel hua, unka kaise nahi hua?” he was quoted as saying.
Qazi, however, made clear that he did not want the episode to create any misunderstanding with Sonu Nigam, whom he said he greatly admired. Rather than blaming the senior singer, he spoke about the experience as part of his own journey.
The singer’s return to mainstream attention has also received support outside the Bigg Boss house. Hina Khan, who shares Kashmiri roots with Qazi, took to X to express her happiness at seeing him once again being celebrated.
According to a media report, Hina said she was “genuinely happy and proud” to see Qazi winning hearts again and being celebrated “like a rockstar after all these years”. She praised his ability to entertain without relying solely on fights or controversy and wished him continued success.
Hina did, however, raise a concern about the portrayal of mental and physical illness as entertainment, saying she did not agree with that aspect of his presentation on the show. She nevertheless concluded her message by wishing him well and saying, “May he keep shining and continue making Kashmir proud.”
Qazi’s old association with Arijit Singh has also become part of the renewed attention around him. The two singers met during Fame Gurukul in 2005, which Qazi won. Arijit, who has remained close to him, publicly expressed his support for his old friend after Qazi entered Bigg Boss 20.
“I will have to watch Bigg Boss for the first time because apna rockstar Qazi hai udhar,” Arijit was quoted as writing on X.
Qazi won Fame Gurukul more than two decades ago and, according to the reports, received the highest number of votes recorded for a singing reality show at the time. His appearance on Bigg Boss 20 has now brought him back into the national spotlight, with his larger-than-life personality, humour and personal stories making him one of the show’s most discussed contestants in its opening weeks.
