[5] In the recent years, he spearheaded the patriotic initiative Har Ghar Tiranga,[6] a campaign developed for the Ministry of Culture that celebrated India’s 75th Independence Day, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Born into a family with a rich artistic legacy, Kailash Surendranath is the son of Surendra, a well-known singer and actor from the Golden Age of Indian cinema who appeared in numerous Bollywood classics.
In 1976, Kailash Surendranath directed a Britannia Glucose-D commercial featuring Amjad Khan, famously known for his iconic role as Gabbar Singh, one of Bollywood’s most feared villains.
[24] This campaign played a crucial role in transforming Nirma into a household name and significantly impacted the Indian advertising industry by promoting a domestic brand in a market dominated by international companies.
[26] The film was well-received and is noted for its thematic focus on national pride and integration, contributing to Kailash Surendranath’s recognition as a filmmaker who highlighted patriotic themes in his work.
Surendranath, along with his team, including Suresh Mullick, developed the concept of a song presented in multiple languages, featuring prominent personalities from cinema, music, and sports.
A pivotal moment in the film’s production occurred when Surendranath suggested incorporating strains of the national anthem, a proposal that was approved by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi after initial reservations from Doordarshan.
[29] The production process, conducted in the pre-internet era, involved extensive travel across the country, with communication primarily through letters and trunk calls to coordinate the participation of cast and crew.
Surendranath and his team encountered challenges in assembling the personalities, as some were unavailable, but many agreed to participate due to the success of Spread the Light of Freedom the previous year.
[30] Upon its release on Independence Day, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara garnered widespread acclaim, further solidifying its place as a symbol of national integration and pride.
[33] Jackie Shroff featured in a Cadbury Drinking Chocolate ad,[34] Arjun Rampal appeared in a denim campaign,[35] and Aishwarya Rai starred in a fairness cream commercial alongside Mahima Chaudhry.