Qazi Touqeer marks 21 years of Fame Gurukul win with viral post
Synopsis
Two decades after winning Fame Gurukul in 2005, Qazi Touqeer is back in the public eye — this time on Bigg Boss 20 — and his anniversary post celebrating 21 years has gone viral. The timing is no coincidence: nostalgia for his reality TV triumph is fuelling fresh fan momentum heading into his latest competition.
Key Takeaways
Qazi Touqeer celebrated 21 years of his Fame Gurukul victory on 24 October 2026 .
He won Fame Gurukul in 2005 alongside co-winner Ruprekha Banerjee .
His viral anniversary post declared: '21 YEARS LATER, THE ROCKSTAR MAGIC IS STILL UNMATCHED!' The duo released the album 'Yeh Pal' after their win, featuring five tracks.
Qazi appeared in the music video for 'Afghan Jalebi' from the 2015 film Phantom .
He is currently a contestant on Bigg Boss Season 20 .
Singer Qazi Touqeer on 24 October 2026 marked 21 years since his landmark victory on the reality show Fame Gurukul, sharing a celebratory post on his official social media account that quickly gained traction online. The post recalled his journey from a 2005 singing competition champion to an enduring presence in Indian entertainment.
The Viral Post
Qazi shared a video featuring a contestant cheering and dancing, accompanied by the text: 'When it's Qazi's show, even the haters tune in!' The caption declared, '21 years ago, he exploded the vote bank. Today, he's breaking the internet! From ruling the votes in 2005 to QAZIFYING the internet in 2026 — our Rockstar has done it AGAIN!' The post also praised his stage presence, adding, 'That aura. Those moves. THAT PERFORMANCE! 21 YEARS LATER, THE ROCKSTAR MAGIC IS STILL UNMATCHED!'
The Fame Gurukul Victory That Started It All
Qazi rose to national recognition in 2005 when he won Fame Gurukul alongside co-winner Ruprekha Banerjee, becoming one of the most memorable faces of Indian reality television in that era. The show, which commanded massive public voting, turned him into a household name virtually overnight. His win was particularly notable for the overwhelming viewer support he attracted — a fact his team continues to reference two decades on.
Musical Career After the Win
Following his Fame Gurukul triumph, Qazi and fellow winner Ruprekha Banerjee collaborated on the album 'Yeh Pal', which included tracks such as 'Yeh Pal', 'Karu Kya', 'Hero', 'Meri Mehbooba', and 'Kehkashan'. He also ventured into acting, appearing in the music video for 'Afghan Jalebi' from the 2015 film Phantom, starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif. The original song was sung by Asrar. A singer and performer from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, Qazi has explored music across Kashmiri, Urdu, and Hindi over the years.
Currently on Bigg Boss 20
Qazi is currently participating in Bigg Boss Season 20, giving his fan base renewed reason to rally behind him. The anniversary post appears timed to capitalise on this fresh wave of public attention, drawing a clear line between his 2005 reality television debut and his ongoing presence in the format. Whether the nostalgia translates into a strong Bigg Boss run remains to be seen.
Point of View
The timing of a viral nostalgia push is unlikely to be accidental — fan armies mobilised by a 21-year-old victory are exactly the voting blocs that decide reality show outcomes. What the post also quietly underscores is how thin the post-Fame Gurukul discography remained, with the 'Yeh Pal' album being the primary studio output. Two decades of cultural affection built largely on a single competition win is a testament to the show's reach — but also a reminder of how few Indian reality television winners convert that moment into sustained mainstream careers.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Qazi Touqeer and why is he trending?
Qazi Touqeer is a singer from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, who won the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 alongside Ruprekha Banerjee. He is currently trending because he marked 21 years of that victory with a viral social media post on 24 October 2026, while also participating in Bigg Boss Season 20.
What is Fame Gurukul?
Fame Gurukul was an Indian singing reality show that aired in 2005 and became one of the most-watched competition formats of its time. Qazi Touqeer and Ruprekha Banerjee were declared joint winners, making them among the most recognised faces of early Indian reality television.
What did Qazi Touqeer do after winning Fame Gurukul?
After winning Fame Gurukul, Qazi collaborated with co-winner Ruprekha Banerjee on the album 'Yeh Pal', which included songs such as 'Yeh Pal', 'Karu Kya', 'Hero', 'Meri Mehbooba', and 'Kehkashan'. He also appeared in the music video for 'Afghan Jalebi' from the 2015 Bollywood film Phantom.
Is Qazi Touqeer currently on Bigg Boss 20?
Yes, Qazi Touqeer is currently a contestant on Bigg Boss Season 20. His anniversary celebration of the Fame Gurukul win has drawn renewed attention to his participation in the ongoing reality show.
What did Qazi Touqeer's anniversary post say?
The post declared, '21 years ago, he exploded the vote bank. Today, he's breaking the internet! From ruling the votes in 2005 to QAZIFYING the internet in 2026 — our Rockstar has done it AGAIN!' It also praised his stage presence with the line, '21 YEARS LATER, THE ROCKSTAR MAGIC IS STILL UNMATCHED!'
