‘KK was a weird combination of playback singer and rocker’

Even before Fun2shh [2003], we worked on a lot of jingles together. He was a close friend, and I would often tell him that when I got into the industry, he would be singing for me. I would play a lot of songs for him and discuss [collaborating] with him when they got picked for a film.

I belong to a rock background, and so did he. He had the ability to maintain power, and yet express each word. His strength was in his ability to maintain clarity. Every word that he rendered was clear, and he knew how to retain the required emotion. That is the sign of a fine singer. He was a weird combination of playback singer and rocker.

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KK was a sorted guy, the kind of person you could instantly bond with. He was a responsible man who loved his family. My heart goes out to them. According to me, he was the ideal husband and father - through and through a family man! More than singing, he loved to travel. He'd frequently head out on holidays and talk about the different things [one could see] at different destinations. He would often tell me, ‘What will you achieve by working so much?' He had a beautiful vibe. [The track I cherish the most is] Alvida [Life In A… Metro - 2007]. We have lived with that song since our [early days]. He would make me sing that song so often. KK was not as celebrated as he should have been in this industry, but he won a lot of hearts - both of the fans and the industry [folk]. Everyone loves him. Not one person could say he wasn't a nice man. He was fantastic. Every event organiser would say, ‘KK, what a fantastic person!'