BB 20: Qazi Touqeer on rooming with Arijit Singh during Fame Gurukul days
Synopsis
Before Arijit Singh became India's most-streamed playback singer, he was a teenager sharing a room with Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer — the boy who actually won Fame Gurukul in 2005. Two decades on, Qazi's candid recollections inside the BB20 house, backed by Arijit's own social media post cheering him on, reveal a friendship that has quietly outlasted the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Qazi Touqeer recalled sharing a room with Arijit Singh as teenagers during the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 .
Qazi won Fame Gurukul alongside Ruprekha Banerjee ; Arijit Singh finished in sixth place .
Arijit Singh publicly supported Qazi on his private X account, writing he would watch Bigg Boss for the first time to follow his friend.
Qazi described Arijit as driven by pure passion, with no insecurity or jealousy, and genuine in life and music.
The two recently reunited in Arijit Singh 's hometown in West Bengal , riding a scooter and playing cricket together.
Qazi promised housemate Gullu front-row seats at an Arijit Singh concert after Bigg Boss 20 ends.
Bigg Boss 20 contestant and singer Qazi Touqeer has revisited his formative years with superstar playback singer Arijit Singh, sharing how the two shared a room as teenagers after being selected for the singing reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005. The candid recollection, shared inside the Bigg Boss 20 house, offers a rare glimpse into the humble beginnings of one of Indian music's most beloved voices.
The Fame Gurukul Connection
Qazi and Arijit Singh were both teenagers when they first crossed paths on Fame Gurukul, a prominent singing reality competition that aired in 2005. The two shared living quarters during the show, forging a bond that has endured over two decades. Qazi won the competition alongside Ruprekha Banerjee, while Arijit finished in sixth place — a result that gave little indication of the extraordinary career that lay ahead of him.
What Qazi Said About Arijit
During a conversation in the Bigg Boss 20 house, Qazi described Arijit as someone driven purely by passion, free of insecurity or jealousy. He said both remained teenagers at heart even in 2026, emphasising Arijit's genuine and grounded approach to life and music. Qazi also reportedly promised fellow housemate Gullu that he would arrange front-row seats at an Arijit Singh concert once the Bigg Boss 20 season concludes.
Arijit's Public Support for Qazi
The friendship recently drew wider attention after Arijit Singh publicly cheered for his old friend on his private X account, writing: “I will have to watch Bigg Boss for the first time because apna rockstar Qazi hai udhar.” The post underscored just how deep and genuine the two singers' bond remains, two decades after their first meeting on a reality stage.
A Reunion in West Bengal
Prior to his Bigg Boss 20 entry, Qazi also visited Arijit Singh's hometown in West Bengal, sharing glimpses of their reunion. The two were seen riding a scooter, meeting locals, and playing cricket together — a far cry from the glitzy world of Bollywood playback. The images went viral, renewing public interest in a friendship that stretches back to the formative years of both their careers.
From Reality TV Underdogs to National Icons
Notably, the story of Qazi and Arijit is a compelling reminder that reality television results do not always predict who goes furthest. Arijit Singh, who placed sixth on Fame Gurukul, went on to become arguably the most-streamed Hindi playback singer of his generation, lending his voice to countless chart-topping films. Qazi, the show's winner, has continued his journey in music and is now navigating the very different pressures of Bigg Boss 20. Their enduring friendship, rooted in those early shared struggles, adds a heartfelt dimension to both their stories as they continue to evolve in the spotlight.
Point of View
Who placed sixth on Fame Gurukul, redefined an entire era of Hindi film music, while the actual winner has remained a far more modest name. That the two have preserved a warm, unaffected friendship across two decades — one a global streaming giant, the other navigating Bigg Boss — is itself a small but striking story about what the industry does and does not reward. Arijit's X post, from a reportedly private account, also signals that the affection runs both ways and is not a PR exercise.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh first meet?
Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh first met as teenagers on the singing reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005, where they shared a room after being selected for the competition. Their friendship has continued for over two decades since.
Who won Fame Gurukul in 2005?
Qazi Touqeer won Fame Gurukul in 2005 alongside Ruprekha Banerjee. Arijit Singh, who went on to become one of India's most celebrated playback singers, finished the competition in sixth place.
What did Arijit Singh post about Qazi on Bigg Boss 20?
Arijit Singh posted on his private X account that he would watch Bigg Boss for the first time because his friend Qazi was a contestant, writing: ‘I will have to watch Bigg Boss for the first time because apna rockstar Qazi hai udhar.’ The post highlighted the depth of their long-standing friendship.
What did Qazi Touqeer say about Arijit Singh inside the Bigg Boss 20 house?
Qazi described Arijit as someone driven purely by passion, with no insecurity or jealousy, who is genuine in his approach to both life and music. He also said both remained teenagers at heart even in 2026, and promised housemate Gullu front-row seats at an Arijit Singh concert after the season ends.
Have Qazi Touqeer and Arijit Singh met recently?
Yes. Before his entry into Bigg Boss 20, Qazi visited Arijit Singh's hometown in West Bengal, where the two were seen riding a scooter, meeting locals, and playing cricket together. Images from the reunion circulated widely online.
