One of the most sought after singers of the Indian music industry, Kailash Kher has left the audience teary eyed with his songs like Allah Ke Bande, Teri Deewani, Saiyyan, Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi, Arziyan and Ya Rabba among many others for over two decades now. But, did you know he battled depression and tried committing suicide in his early 20s?
Yes, you read that right! The singer, during a recent interaction with the news agency ANI, opened up about trying to end his life, before he found his footing in the music industry. Recalling the traumatic event, in an exclusive interview, Kher revealed how he used to do odd jobs to sustain himself. He was working in the export business that sent handicrafts to Germany, which suddenly collapsed. ALSO READ: Kailash Kher Opens Up Being Attacked At The Hampi Concert: Impulsive Boys Got Restless, Wanted To Hear Kannada Songs
Talking about how he went to Rishikesh, shortly after so that he could become a pandit, he said, “After facing several problems in business, I went to Rishikesh to become a ‘pandit’. However, I used to feel that I was a misfit there as my fellow mates were younger than me and my views never matched theirs. I was dejected as I was failing in everything..so one day I tried to commit suicide by jumping into the river Ganga.” ALSO READ: SHOCKING! Kailash Kher ATTACKED During A Concert In Karnataka, Bottle Thrown At The Singer While He Was Performing-Report
He went on to explain how a man saving his life and hitting him on the top of his head made him value his life more. The 49-year-old music composer said, “But a person at the ghat jumped in the Ganga immediately and saved me. He asked, ‘Tairna nahin aata gaya kyu tha? (Why did you jump when you don’t know how to swim?)’ I replied, ‘Marne (to die)’…aur meri suicide ki baat jaane ke baad unhone mujhe tez ki tapli maari sar pe (After learning about my intentions of ending my life, he hit me hard on my head).”
The singer went on to become one of the biggest hits in India. He had recently made the headlines when two men had attacked the Kailash during his concert at the cultural festival Hampi Utsav in Karnataka. They had hurled a a half-filled water bottle at the singer, who at that time didn’t notice it. The locals were immediately arrested by the police officials.
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