Khesari Lal Yadav

Khesari Lal Yadav
	Khesari Lal Yadav in 2025
Born	15 March 1986 (age 39); Chhapra, Bihar, India
Nationality	Indian
Education
Alma mater
Occupation	Actor, Singer, Dancer, Politician
Years active	2008 – Present
Known for	Bhojpuri Cinema, Singing, Acting
Notable works	Saajan Chale Sasural, Mehandi Laga Ke Rakhna, Sangharsh, Farishta
Awards	Best Popular Actor (2016), Best Actor & Playback Singer (2018)
Spouse(s)	Chanda Devi (m. 2006)
Parents
Religion
Website

Khesari Lal Yadav (Shatrughan Kumar Yadav) is an Indian actor, singer, dancer, and model known for his work in Bhojpuri cinema. In addition to performing over 5,000 songs in Bhojpuri, Hindi, Awadhi, and Haryanvi, he has starred in over 70 films.

In 2019, he became well-known across the country thanks to the reality show Bigg Boss 13. Saajan Chale Sasural (2011) marked Yadav's film debut, and "AK-47" from "Koyelaanchal" (2014) marked his Bollywood singing debut.

Early Life & Education

Khesari Lal Yadav was born on 15 March 1986 as Shatrughan Kumar Yadav on 15 March 1986 in Dhanadih village, Saran district, Bihar. His father, Mangaru Lal Yadav, was a night watchman and street vendor, so he came from a lowly background. Khesari helped graze cattle and sell milk while growing up in poverty.

Career

Early Career

Between 1998 and 1999, Yadav started performing in Bhojpuri theater, learning the folk dance known as "Launda Naach" and singing in plays like "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata." Later, he and his family relocated to Delhi, where he sold "Litti Chokha" to make ends meet. He used his savings to produce his first album, which didn't do well, but his second album did well. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the most well-known singers in the Bhojpuri music industry thanks to his hard work.

Acting Career

YIn 2011, Yadav made his acting debut in the popular film "Saajan Chale Sasural." He appeared in more than 40 Bhojpuri films between 2012 and 2016, such as "Nagin," "Ae Balma Biharwala," "Chhapra Express," "Pratigya 2," and "Khiladi." For "Mehandi Laga Ke Rakhna," he won "Best Actor" and "Best Playback Singer" at the Sabrang Film Awards (2018), as well as "Best Popular Actor" at the Bhojpuri Film Awards (2016). Among his well-known films are "Sangharsh," "Naagdev," "Dabang Sarkar," "Coolie No. 1," and "Farishta" (2023).

He portrayed a mentally challenged character in "Farishta," which went on to become one of the biggest Bhojpuri hits of 2023.

He made his Hindi film debut with "Global Baba" (2016) and made an appearance on the reality show "Bigg Boss 13" in 2019. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2022 movie "Aashiqui."

Political Career

Khesari Lal Yadav was declared the "Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)" candidate from the "Chapra" constituency for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election in October 2025.

Music Career

Yadav's first album was released in 2008, and he began his career as a devotional singer. "Saiyaan Arab Gaile Na" and "Piyawa Rahele Saudi Re Bhauji" are two of his early hits.

He made his Bollywood singing debut with the song "AK-47" (from "Koyelaanchal," 2014), and he went on to sing "Holi Me Ude" in "Global Baba" (2016).

"Thik Hai," "Ladki Patana," "Tere Mere Darmiyaan," and the Bhojpuri rendition of "Pani Pani" featuring rapper Badshah are some of his well-known songs.

Two of his songs, "Nathuniya" and "Le Le Aain Coca Cola," were included in YouTube's Top Indian Songs of the Year list in 2022.

Philanthropy

Yadav manages the "Khesari Foundation," a nonprofit that helps elderly and impoverished children.

In addition to regularly giving to flood victims and the poor, particularly during festivals, he finances the education of 62 orphan children.

Notable Works

He has demonstrated his versatility as an actor and singer by appearing in a number of well-known Bhojpuri films. Among his best-known works are Saajan Chale Sasural (2011), Mehandi Laga Ke Rakhna (2017), Sangharsh (2018), Aashiqui (2022), in which he also wrote the screenplay, and Farishta (2023). In addition to gaining him a lot of recognition, these movies made him one of the biggest names in the Bhojpuri film industry.

Achievements

He has won numerous honors and recognitions for his exceptional contributions to Bhojpuri cinema over the years. Following his wins at the Bhojpuri Film Awards (2016) for Best Popular Actor, he went on to win Best Actor (Male) and Best Playback Singer (Male) at the Sabrang Film Awards (2018). His popularity as an actor and singer was further demonstrated by the inclusion of two of his songs in YouTube's Top Indian Songs of 2022.

External Links

References