‘Felt a misfit, tried to commit suicide': Kailash Kher on struggling days

Renowned singer Kailash Kher, known for giving the Indian film industry some of the most soulful songs like Teri Deewani, recalled his tough times. In an interview, he revealed that he tried to commit suicide in his early twenties, but was saved by a man and felt that his life did not suit him.

According to reports, he said: “I did many odd jobs to survive. I was 20 or 21 when I started my export business in Delhi. I sent handicrafts to Germany. Unfortunately, that deal suddenly collapsed. After facing several problems in business, I went to Rishikesh to become a 'Pandit'. However, I felt that I was in the wrong place because my classmates were younger than me and my views never coincided with theirs. I was dejected because I had failed in everything, so one day I tried to commit suicide by jumping into the river Ganges.'

Continuing the incident, he said that a man who saw him jumping on the Ghat immediately jumped into the Ganges and saved him. He asked, "Tairna nahin aata gaya kyu to?" to which Kher replied "to die". After learning of his intention to end his life, the man hit Kher on the head.

He also stated that the following day he locked himself in his room without eating. During the difficult period, he said, he kept thinking about his existence and tried to communicate with God. Till date, the 2017 Padma Shri awardee has several hits to his credit including Teri Deewani, Saiyyan, Chand Sifarish, Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi, Ya Rabba and Arziyan. In 2011, he composed a song titled Ambar Tak Yehi Naad Goonjega for the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, which is popularly known as "India Against Corruption Movement". Kher did not charge for this song.