A Minute With: Kailash Kher

File photo of singer Kailash Kher performing during the Bollywood Music Awards in Atlantic City, New Jersey, November 4, 2006.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Kailash Kher is best known for his soulful melodies and songs that have graced many a Bollywood chartbuster in recent years.

Kher, who now has a cult following among India’s youth, was catapulted out of relative obscurity with the 'Allah ke Bande' song in 2002.

The 37-year-old singer spoke to Reuters on the sidelines of a concert in New Delhi about his love for the city and his choice of songs.

Q: What is it about New Delhi that brings you back so frequently?

A: ''Delhi is a unique city and I have found the world's best audience here. I remember during the Qutub festival in 2005, someone from the audience shouted 'Teri Deewani', a demand for me to sing that song.

Whether this city is safe for women or not, I don't know, but music and art will always bind people together.''

Q: Tell us about your upcoming projects.

A: ''There are several. But to name a few, my latest album 'Babajee' will be releasing soon. I recently met Michael Brook in London, who has worked with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I would like to work with him too.''

Q: Which is your favourite song?

A: ''Well, most people like 'Teri Deewani'. But there is another song from the same album, which is not as popular, that is - Naiharwa. That's my favourite song.''

Q: Did you always want to be a singer?

A: ''Never. I was into exports years ago and then my business collapsed. I was depressed and then in 2001, I turned to music.''

Q: What do you have to say about the craze for Bollywood item songs?

A: ''People will never remember these shallow songs, which only create noise. What will be remembered is a soulful voice.''