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Kher received the Padma Shri in 2017 from the Government of India.[2] He has also received two Filmfare Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer (Hindi) for Fanaa (2006), and Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu for Mirchi (2013).[3] Since 2014, he has been involved in promoting Indian folk culture through initiatives such as the Kailash Kher Academy for Learning Arts (KKALA) and the reality series Bharat Ka Amrit Kalash, which highlights traditional music from India’s states and union territories.[4]
Kher’s interest in music began in his childhood.[8] At the age of 14, he left his home in search of a guru or an institution to pursue musical training and began studying classical and folk music. He later recalled: “I left because I wanted to pursue my passion for music. It required me to stay in isolation.”[9]
He then worked in a family friend’s Indian handicraft export business until 1999.[12] After the business collapsed, he became depressed and attempted suicide in early 1999. He subsequently spent six months in Singapore and Thailand.[13]
In 2001, Kher left Delhi for Mumbai – the centre of India’s highly competitive music industry – aiming to become a professional singer. He lived in cheap hostels and took on whatever music-related work he could find to make his ends meet.[16]
Soon after arriving in Mumbai, friends in the film industry recommended him to Ram Sampath, who was seeking a new voice for a Nakshatra diamonds jingle; Kher later recalled that the work did not bring instant recognition but paid him ₹5,000 (~$57), which helped him “just to survive.”[18]
He went on to record jingles for television and radio commercials; it was then he started getting noticed for his distinctive singing style, and ended up working for Coca-Cola, Citibank, Pepsi, the IPL and Honda Motorcycles.[19]
Most of his film or non-film albums include romantic tracks with a touch of classical music, traditional lyrics, and regional languages.[citation needed]
Kailasa's third album, Chaandan Mein, was released in June 2009. He made his first international album on the independent record label Cumbancha.[30]
He released his fourth album, Rangeele, through his own company Kailasa Records in January 2012.
Kher has also sung a few non-film Nepali pop songs, including "Phool Ko Thunga" and "Bolnai parcha bhanne K cha ra" from the album Only Love in 2011.
In 2016, Kher returned with his new album Ishq Anokha. This self-produced album, distributed by Saregama, became a chart-buster shortly after its launch. Ishq Anokha comprises eight tracks: "Ishq Anokha", "O Jogi", "Meharbani Teri", "Berukhiyaan", "Vaari Vaari", "Guru Ghantal", "Turiya Turiya", and an electro version of "Vaari Vaari". The album was launched in three cities: Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
As part of a recent output of the Kailasa band led by Kailash Kher, devotional single "Gajaananaa" was released in August 2025. This song was a musical prompt on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, paying respects to Lord Ganesh and includes Kailash Kher's soulful singing, and composition.
Along with backing vocalists and musicians, this project was produced, recorded and performed to tape at Kailasa studio Mumbai. It was released with Kailasa Records and Kailasa Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., which combines sacred, and modern musical styles.[31]
In 2007, he joined a North American concert tour titled “The Incredibles,” alongside Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, and Kunal Ganjawala. In March 2011, Kailasa performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Maximum India festival.[33] Kher also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.[34]
In 2012, as part of Kailasa’s third Nepal tour, Kher performed in Dhaka (Bangladesh), Nairobi (Kenya), Zimbabwe and Congo, Karachi (Pakistan), and Muscat (Oman).[35]
In 2013, he collaborated with singer Shreya Ghoshal for the first time on a campaign titled “Project Resound: Upgrade Your Ears,” for which he wrote and composed the song “Naina Chaar” and invited Ghoshal to sing.[39][40] The online initiative by Sony Music India promoted listening awareness and also marketed Sony headphones.
On 15 March 2014, he appeared on the celebrity talk show Comedy Nights with Kapil during Holi celebrations.
Personal life
Kher married Sheetal Bhan in February 2009, and their son Kabir was born in December 2009.[41][42]
Kher was accused of inappropriate behaviour and harassment by multiple women during the Indian Me Too movement in 2018.[43][44] Kher, however, denied the allegations, stating, "Accusing without a formal complaint isn't authentic."[45] He later issued a public apology for any unintentional behavior on his part that may have made the complainants uncomfortable.[46]
Music for social causes
In 2011, Kher composed a song called “Ambar Tak Yehi Naad Goonjega” for the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, popularly known as the “India Against Corruption Movement”. Kher did not charge a professional fee for singing the song.[47]
Kher was featured in the Clean India Mission theme song “Swachh Bharat ka Irada Kar Liya Hum Ne,”[48] written by Prasoon Joshi. To promote the Clean India Mission, he visited several places in the prime minister’s parliamentary constituency.
Kher appeared in a viral video campaign titled #KyaKisikoPadiHai with Jose Covaco as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The campaign was directed by Harnish Ambaliya.[49]
Kher was invited by the prime minister to accompany him on his first U.S. tour, and performed at the SAP Center community reception in San Jose, California, on 27 September 2015.[50]
In 2019, Kher sang a song titled “Bol Re Dilli Bol,” based on contemporary political events in Delhi; it forms part of the seven‑episode web series “Transparency: Pardarshita.”[51][52]
↑ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They acknowledge several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
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