Long before entering Bigg Boss 20, Qazi Touqeer was one of the most recognisable faces of Indian reality television. His popularity peaked in 2005 when he participated in Sony TV’s music reality show Fame Gurukul.

At just 20, Qazi, who came from Kashmir, became one half of the show’s winning “Fame Jodi” alongside Ruprekha Banerjee. The duo won the competition at its October 20, 2005 finale.

Their victory came with a prize of Rs 50 lakh each, a Sony music contract and a Maruti Alto. Qazi’s journey on the show was particularly notable because of the strong public support he received during the competition.

Reports about his Fame Gurukul journey have recalled the extraordinary enthusiasm among his supporters, with fans reportedly spending more than Rs 11 crore through voting to back him during the show.

More than two decades later, Qazi returned to the reality television spotlight as a contestant on Bigg Boss 20, which premiered on September 6, 2026.

His entry introduced him to a younger generation of viewers who may not have seen Fame Gurukul during its original run. While some viewers initially reacted to his personality and behaviour on the show, his earlier career offers a reminder of how influential television reality shows were in shaping celebrity culture in the mid-2000s.

From a young contestant backed by a huge fan following to a Bigg Boss participant in 2026, Qazi’s television journey spans more than 20 years.