Qazi: Before and After (HOT).

After news of director Bobby Khan dropping Fame Gurukul winner Qazi Touqeer from his directorial venture Piya became public (Scrawny Qazi shown the door, HiTLIST, October 25), the Fame champ surface to give us his version of the story.

What is the problem?
I think Bobby wants to save his face; he wants to avoid the embarrassment of admitting that he failed to launch Qazi. Thatfs why hefs giving false statements against me.

Why are you talking to us now? We made all efforts to reach you before going to press.
I was not aware that you spoke to my manager, Anand. I am under a contract with Sony, and everything goes through them. So it got stuck there. Anyway, I want to tell you the whole story now.

Go on...
Bobby Khan did not drop me from his project. The truth is, he was not able to start the film. He got in touch with Sony and they approved it. He signed me on April 2006 saying he would start the film right away. I cancelled my shows, which were scheduled for May and June. I kept asking him, but he kept dilly-dallying and did not start the film.

Then what happened?
Around that time, I got an offer for another film. I told Bobby that I was signing the other film and I was not interested in doing Piya.

According to Bobby, you are thin and couldnft put on weight for the role.
I was always thin, so why did he sign me? And let me tell you that I did start putting on weight as soon as I signed the film. Thatfs just one of Bobbyfs excuses. Today, my body looks the same as Hrithik Roshanfs body in Dhoom 2.

He says you were travelling for shows.
Thatfs another excuse. I had cancelled many shows to give dates to his film. I lost Rs 25 lakh for cancelling those shows. I went to the US just once in August, and by that time, it was almost clear that he was not starting the film.

Did you sign that other film?
Yes. But I canft talk about it. The producers are going to make a formal announcement.

Have you quit singing?
I wouldnft mind singing for myself in films. But I am not interested in becoming a playback singer. During the Fame Gurukul days, everyone used say I would win not because of my singing but because of my X factor. I have always been clear that I want to become an actor.

Isnft the contract with Sony stifling you?
No. My contact with BMG is over, but the one with SET is still on for another year. I have to give 20 per cent of my earnings to Sony, but they handle so many things for me. So there is no jhanjhat. As such, I am from Kashmir and Ifm still finding my bearings in Mumbai. Itfs a give-and-take situation.