Pakistan much like India, says Kailash Kher

Apr 19, 2012 IANS

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) Kailash Kher got a chance to perform in Pakistan for the very first time and the singer-composer was overwhelmed by the kind of response he got for his act. Kher says Pakistan is much like India, where people are very warm and friendly.

"Performing in the neighbouring country was an overwhelming and interesting experience. Me and my band crossed the Wagah border on foot. The custom officers and everyone else there greeted us with open arms and were very warm," Kher told IANS.

Kher performed with his band Kailasa in Karachi Saturday. The enthusiasm level of the audience reached a new high everytime the troupe performed on songs like "Teri deewani", "Tauba-tauba..", "Saaiyan", "Dhol vajda", "Babam bam", said the singer.

"The audience was very enthusiastic and cheered for my performance after every song," said Kher.

Such is the popularity of Kher that people in Pakistan were even willing to buy tickets in black.

"When we reached the venue, we were told that the concert tickets are being sold in black and police had to intervene to stop that. The tickets were sold out, so many waited outside the gates in the hope of getting tickets," said Kher, who has sung in 14 languages for regional films, and over 200 songs for the Bollywood.

Kher said they were planning to visit Pakistan for a long time but couldn't due to lack of permissions.

"I was told not to go to Karachi but it is my fans' love that took me there. Me and my band had been planning to visit the country for sometime but there was problem getting permissions. But as soon as we got them, we booked a date," he said.

The singer said he would love to visit the country again.

"I did not have enough time to shop and go sightseeing, yet I found Pakistan much like India. People are lovely and very friendly. I would love to visit the place again," he said.

After performing in Karachi, the singer and his band will head to the US for a 35-day tour and perform in 15 states of North and South America. They would be performing a total of 16 shows, between April 25 and May 30.