'Aishawarya and I are similar'

In a gala event, Music director A R Rahman released the debut album of brilliant singer Kailash Kher on Tuesday night at the Raheja Classique club in Mumbai.

Aptly titled Kailasa, the album is actually also named after the band that Kher has formed in partnership with musician-composers Naresh and Paresh Kamath, both gifted guitarists and good backup singers.

"I am glad to be here for Kailash's album launch. I still remember how I first heard of him. I had asked Mehboob, our lyricist, for a new voice that is earthy and strong, and he said, I have just the person for you. That voice can only be that of Kailash,' reminisced Rehman who is sporting a new hair style sans his famous locks.

Ask him why he is not composing much for Bollywood and he says, "I know that a lot of people are upset that I've been concentrating on international work. I'd like to ask them if they wouldn't have grabbed these opportunities if they had been in my place?

"Also, at some level, I'm promoting Indian cinema just like Shekhar Kapur or Aishwarya Rai. What's wrong with that?"