Indian Idol Season 1 winner Abhijeet Sawant has expressed his support for Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer, saying he understands the struggles that followed their respective reality-show victories. Sawant recalled facing taunts and being labelled a ‘one-show wonder’ while praising Qazi for remaining grounded and focused.
Winning a reality show can bring instant recognition, but sustaining that attention over the years is a different challenge. Indian Idol Season 1 winner Abhijeet Sawant knows this experience well, and he believes his journey gives him a unique understanding of what Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer has experienced.
In an exclusive conversation with The Times of India, Sawant spoke about relating to Qazi’s journey after their respective reality-show victories. He recalled how people questioned their whereabouts and career progress when they were no longer constantly in the spotlight. The singer also praised Qazi for maintaining his maturity and focus despite the challenges of the entertainment industry.
Abhijeet Sawant Says He Understands Qazi Touqeer’s Struggles
Explaining his connection with Qazi, Abhijeet said that he feels genuinely happy whenever he sees the Fame Gurukul winner on screen. He also expressed his desire to see Qazi do well during his Bigg Boss 20 journey.
“If you ask me, no one understands Qazi better than I do in the current situation,” Sawant told Recalling the period after their respective reality-show victories, he said that people often taunted them by questioning where they had disappeared after winning their shows. According to Sawant, contestants who do not remain constantly visible can quickly be labelled a “one-show wonder”.
He suggested that instead of asking what someone has been doing since winning a reality show, people should look at their present achievements. His comments reflect the pressure reality-show winners can face when public attention moves on and they attempt to establish themselves beyond their initial television success.
Abhijeet Praises Qazi’s Maturity and Determination
Sawant also praised Qazi for remaining grounded and focused on his own journey. He pointed out that maintaining the same stability and maturity after two decades of experiences, disappointments and professional challenges is not easy.
The singer said that these experiences have shaped Qazi into the person audiences are now seeing on television. He added that watching his old contemporary perform on stage makes him happy.
Qazi first became widely recognised after winning Fame Gurukul in 2005. More than two decades later, his appearance on Bigg Boss 20 has brought him back into the television spotlight.
Abhijeet Sawant Recalls His Friendship With Qazi
Sawant also shared an incident that reflects the friendship between the two singers. He recalled that Qazi once organised a show in Kashmir and contacted him to request a video message encouraging people to attend.
Qazi told him that he had a considerable fan following in the region and asked him to send a message for the event. Sawant agreed and recorded the video, an interaction he remembers fondly.
He said he feels happy when people who began their journeys around the same time achieve success. Sawant also wished Qazi the best for his ongoing Bigg Boss 20 journey.
From Indian Idol to Bigg Boss 20: Two Reality-TV Journeys
Abhijeet Sawant won the first season of Indian Idol, while Qazi Touqeer rose to prominence through Fame Gurukul. Although their journeys began on different reality shows, Sawant sees a common experience in the scrutiny that followed their early success.
His comments offer a perspective on the challenges of sustaining a career after reality television fame. For Qazi, Bigg Boss 20 has provided another opportunity to connect with television audiences, while Sawant’s message reflects the understanding of someone who has experienced the pressures of life after a reality-show victory.
FAQs
1. What did Abhijeet Sawant say about Qazi Touqeer?
Abhijeet Sawant said that he understands Qazi Touqeer’s struggles better because he experienced similar public taunts after winning a reality show.
2. Why does Abhijeet Sawant relate to Qazi Touqeer?
Sawant recalled being questioned about his career and labelled a “one-show wonder” after winning Indian Idol. He sees similarities in the challenges faced by Qazi after his own reality-show victory.
3. Which reality show did Qazi Touqeer win?
Qazi Touqeer won the singing reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005.
4. What did Abhijeet Sawant praise about Qazi Touqeer?
He praised Qazi for remaining grounded, mature and focused on his journey despite the experiences and challenges he has faced.
