live chat transciprt of Qazi Touqeer

Transcript of LIVE INDIATIMES CHAT with singer, Qazi Touqeer at 2pm on Monday, January 9, 2006 in Mumbai

Qazi Touqeer
singer

"I always wanted to be an actor. Three years down the line I want to win a Filmfare award."

Smita > Qazi, according to my knowledge you were not classically trained before coming to the Fame Gurukul contest. When did you learn actual ragas (sa-re-ga-ma)?
Qazi Touqeer > T hat I have still not learned. I believe that if I can feel according to situations and emotions and sing then that's is the most important thing. That's what the judges (on the show) also felt. I sing with my heart.

Harum > I am overwhelmed to see that in this modern world we still have people like you Qazi. You set an ultimate example for all the muslims. Your honesty, your genuineness, your steadfastness is just remarkable. I hope you never change!!!
Qazi Touqeer > Thank you so much!

Jackie > Do you watch the Miss India contest?
Qazi Touqeer > I don't watch it much. But I would like to tell its participants to concentrate on the present when compting and forget about their past weaknesses. That's what I did. Don't perform under the pressure of your past performances. Focus on your present. Forget the past!!! I did that for fame Gurukul competition.

Kaur > Will you focus on your singing career only or shift to acting/modelling too?
Qazi Touqeer > Acting is my actual passion. There are a lot of film offers also. I want to be an actor, and do playback singing in my own film.

Vikram > Qazi, did you ever think you could get such a huge response from the people?
Qazi Touqeer > I knew of a good response. I wanted to entertain as an overall package. But the response I received eventually went beyond my expectations.

Harum > Your best moment while staying in the Gurukul? Any plans of performing in Pakistan? I must tell you there are millions of crazy fans waiting for you here.
Qazi Touqeer > It was when, in the last episode of Gurukul, I was put on 'safe'. I was the only one to go into 'safe' zone. I was happy then and told myself then that even if I didn't win, I was convinced that I was a better singer. Certainly, I would like to go to Pkaistan for a performance. I am on two years contract with Sony. I want to go to Pakistan but it all depends on my managers; on how they set my schedule.

Roma > You were said to be very arrogant during the fame gurukul contest. Is it true? Why?
Qazi Touqeer > Some said I was very innocent (laughs). I only said whatever came to my heart. So, I dont know. But I received the maximum votes. May be, people loved my arrogance.

Nanie > Why do u think you won the fame gurukul jodi contest?
Qazi Touqeer > When I was voted the first time by people I would wonder what they liked me in me so much. When I went out in public, I saw that people supported me the maximum. I think it could be because I probably entertained them a lot.And also, who knows, because of my long hair - the X-factor!

Vikram > Don't you feel Qazi that Rex (another participant) betrayed your trust by repeatedly insisting that you were not a good singer and that you shouldn't have been in the top 5?
Qazi Touqeer > I had the public support with me. I was criticised but people stood by me through out! That's the main point .

Kashi > What is your rapport with Rooprekha, your partner who also won the fame gurukul with you? Do you two get along well?
Qazi Touqeer > She is a very good girl. On stage, we have a good coordination.

Gitu > Will you be doing TV serial? I think you will rock it? What are your new year resolutions?
Qazi Touqeer > TV serials - offers are there but I am busy doing shows right now. So busy that I do not get time to meet my family members too. If within my contract limit I have to do serial then I will do it.

Smita > Qazi, are you a November born?
Qazi Touqeer > 2nd of June; Gemini.

Vikram > How did you feel when Bipasha and John praised your work?
Qazi Touqeer > oOn top of the world! I still am. John said he would like to perform with me. And Bipasha said to me- I love you! I enjoyed performing in front of them.both these guest judges on the show.

Harum > Who was your favourite jugde and guru?
Qazi Touqeer > I never had a guru. But I think my uncle (chacha) who is a professional singer is my guru. I got the idea of taking up music from him. Favourite judge-- KK, Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan.

Doll > When we think of Kashmir we only think of militancy in the state. Were you affected by the militancy there? Did you come across it in any way?
Qazi Touqeer > Not personally. Music, acting - this is what i was involved in. I was not affected by the outside world. But there are no facilities to do theatre in Kashmir or no acting schools etc. But I was dedicated. I said to myself that I would be the first Kashmiri who would go out and make a name by doing something. And I never gave up.

Harum > What did you hate the most about fame gurukul? Most people at fame gurukul disliked you. What would you advice them now, as you have proved what exactly you are?
Qazi Touqeer > Let fame gurukul be the way it is. I wouldn't like to change anything on it. It was such a big platform. It's true that participants did not like me. They used to call me as weak performer. But I was determined to prove myself, and I won! Winner is the one who doesn't lose hope. This is what I want to tell all.

Vikram > Qazi, let me tell you that your best performance to date was when you sang Saaki Saaki Re. Will you be performing this song on TV in the near future?
Qazi Touqeer > Yes, it was my best performance indeed and I'd love to perform on this song again! It's one of my favourite songs.

Srikant145 > Hi Qazi. Happy new year to you. Do you have any girlfriend?
Qazi Touqeer > No girl friend right now. I had a few friends back in Kashmir and whenever I tried getting a little friendly with any of them, they wouldn't appreciate that I aspired to be a star one-day. They used to make fun of me. I am 20 so there is lot of time left for that kind of thing.

Monu > How did it feel to be away from home for so long? How long did you take to adjust?
Qazi Touqeer > It was difficult. Every day, I think of Kashmir's greenery – the jheel (lakes), especially the Dal lake. I wuld like to go back and see the places I used to go to. I miss the place. I adjust by telling myself that I will need to work hard for people who have voted for me and for Kashmir.

Vikram > Who was your favourite among the fellow singers? Where do you see yourself three years down the line?
Qazi Touqeer > My favourite among gurukul participants was Mona. She's my favourite singer. Three yrs down the line -- god knows it better. I don't even know what's going to happen tomorrow. But I don't want to change (as a person) even three years down the line. I hope I win a Filmfare award though!! I always wanted to be an actor. And like Kishore Kumar did, I want to be sing for my own films.

Harum > There was a drastic change in you in the last few days. What happened to you? Did you ever have feelings for ARPITA or now for RUPREKHA?
Qazi Touqeer > Nothing like that. It was anger on being criticised. I said to myself, I have to beat all. From a zero I became a hero. Just what one of my judges remarked to me in the finals. It was a turning point of my life. I didn't have any feelings for anyone.

Sign Off Message > Thanks so much for all your support. I hope this support remains throughout my life. I'd like to entertain all of you. And to the youngsters on this chat I would like to say - NEVER GIVE UP!!!! Banish negative thoughts from your mind.