Latest on Qazi from Lucknow Times

Singer Qazi Tauqeer, who hit headlines not so long ago, is game for Bollywood.

He dismisses singing contests on television today as unimpressive and repetitive. For him these contests seem to be aping what made him the darling of the nation.

And if that were not enough, he actually questions the transparency of the SMS public votes that come in for these game shows!

But then Qazi Tauqeer today is no more the new kid on the block. A lot more mature, he has finally grown up and it shows: "I was lucky to have won a contest at a time when things were not as easy as they are today,"quips this singing sensation from Kashmir.

"When Roop Rekha and I were contesting in Fame Gurukul, the votes that came in for me were from all over the country not just Kashmir. I know that for sure, as very few people use mobiles in J&K. But things are different today. Even voting through SMS is being questioned in a large number of shows being aired these days."

So what is his take on the way the current favourite Debojit was selected? "Both Vinit and Debojit are excellent singers, I know many people were rooting for Vinit, but you see as a state one cannot ignore Assam and their preference too. Debojit too was very popular with people and his win proves that,"he avers diplomatically.

With such sentiments to air, one has to wonder if this is the same quaint little kid we met a few months back, who
fresh from his win in a tele-singing contest, was still groping around with his new found stardom. Life seems to have certainly changed since then?

"Of course, life is first class today. I am a star and I feel it. As a young boy I had decided that I would be a star one day and I told my family that too. Years passed and my family began asking me when I would be a star, that's when I just decided to go ahead and become one.

The rest is history,"he laughs. "But I have not changed as a person. Qazi Tauqeer, even today has his feet on the ground. Jaisa mein pehle tha, us terah aaj bhi hoon. (I am just like I used to be).

College jata hoon (I go to college) and when I don't feel like attending it, I give it a miss and go and watch a film with friends. Life is mast and bindaas,"he avers.

So what next then? Has Bollywood begun beckoning yet? "As a play back singer, definitely offers are pouring in, but instead of doing playback for someone, I prefer to sing for myself. As far as acting is concerned, if I get a film like Rang De Basanti, I would love to take it up. And until I get that, I am happy just singing baba,"he says in a heavy Mumbaiya accent.

Well said Qazi!

anjali.singh@timesgroup.com