"I picked up elements from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan"

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><br />His voice has the ability to lend whole new dimensions to movie characters, including the Big B himself.<br /><br />Meet Kailash Kher, the voice behind <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Allah Ke Bande Hain Hum</span>. Though he sounds a bit like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, when he takes to the stage, he enthrals the audience with a style all his own.<br /><br />Dressed in a simple black <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">kurta</span>, Kailash is clearly in his element at the time of giving this interview.The fact that the girls around him are all giggling as he signs autographs could be the reason for it.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How music happened for him: </span><br /><br />I am originally from Kashmir but grew up in Meerut and Delhi listening to my father, who wasn''t a professional singer but had a unique style. I picked up elements from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ghulam Ali and listening to them was better than getting a formal training. No music school can give you great vocal chords. <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Sur</span> is something that you have or you don''t sing.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">On his many jingles: </span><br /><br />He''s sung several jingles that include the latest one for Pepsi, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hadd se badi hai pyas</span>, to Hero Cycles and Dermi Cool. “In fact, it was jingles that got my voice noticed. I have sung for Anu Malik and AR Rahman.<br /><br />The turn of events has led me to believe that God is directing me and I''ve left my future in his hands. On his spate of offers Several lucrative opportunities like Govind Nihalani''s film Dev, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Meenaxi</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">–</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">A Tale of Three C</span>ities, Ashutosh Gowarikar''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Swades</span> and the title track in Ketan Mehta''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Rising</span>."<br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">On </span><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">Allah Ke Bande</span><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">:</span><br /><br />When Vishal, the music composer, called me for <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Waisa Bhi Hota Hai</span>, I never thought a film with such a tight budget, an average star cast and an unknown director, could catapult me to fame. But I believe in destiny and this was my fate.<br /><br />On singing in the industry: The industry is a little fake, but music does not get affected by this. The musicians have their own separate culture here, and actors are fascinated by musicians.<br /><br />On his personal life: Well, as of now there is no time for anyone special. It would be nice to meet someone though. I have made lots of friends ever since I moved to Mumbai.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">On his future plans:</span><br /><br />Our band called Kailasa is bubbling under. The band comprises of Paresh and Naresh Kamat, Kurt Peters, Rinku Rajput and myself. Our first album should be out by the end of the year. It will be a typical folk album with lots of Sufi influence. We intend to make it big with this album, even internationally!</div> </div>