Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Kaykay Chauhan: AR Rahman changed the face of Indian film music

The live show ‘Rahmanisce: The Songs of AR Rahman’ will be held at Beck Theatre in Hayes, next Friday (8) and Mystique Banqueting Suite in Leicester on October 7

Kaykay Chauhan: AR Rahman changed the face of Indian film music

HAVING versatile vocalists and an amazing ability to put a contemporary spin on classic songs has enabled cool collective Kayak & Co to stand apart from other British Asian music acts.

They will add to their impressive number of live shows with the forthcoming Rahmanisce: The Songs of AR Rahman at Beck Theatre in Hayes, next Friday (8) and Mystique Banqueting Suite in Leicester on October 7. Singers Anj Chauhan, Parry Mad, Shahid Abbas Khan and Rekha will team up with master musician Kaykay Chauhan for concerts that put a contemporary spin on classic AR Rahman songs. Eastern Eye caught up with Kaykay to find out more. 


 How much does performing live mean to you as a collective? 

 It means a lot to perform with some of the finest vocalists in this country who are part of the collective. It means that we can push the envelope that little more in terms of experimenting and creating a fresher sound.  

Tell us about your forthcoming Rehumanize show? 

  Basically, the Reminisce show is an extension of the Reminisce video that we released in 2015. This was a mashup of around 50 Rahman hits in about seven minutes.   

What can the audiences expect from the show? 

  The audience will experience AR Rahman songs that will be changed and recreated with a fresher approach which includes English songs that fit. The music will not be exactly like the originals. Though most of the vocals will be similar, you can expect twists in the melody due to the drums’ beats and tempos being different.  

 What is your favourite AR Rahman song? 

  It is very difficult to choose a favourite AR Rahman song. This can change daily or weekly even. Top of my head, Yaaro Sunlo Zara from Rangeela. The song evokes a very positive feeling due to its energy.   

How did you select which AR Rahman songs to feature?  

The basis would start with the most popular songs in the Rahman canon. The songs that the audience can also sing along to. The idea then is to change and make the music different in a positive way. If an idea is not taking off, that song then doesn’t make the final list.  

How important is it for you as a collective to put your own spin on the songs?  

 We as Kaykay & Co are known to change things up and give our own spin on Bollywood and English songs. I guess people call us a fusion band. The vision is always to be different as a collective. It’s important for us to carry on with this sound and do something different for the future generations to come. 

 How much does having great singers with different styles help you?  

It helps tremendously to have Anj Chauhan, Parry Mad, Rekha and Shahid Abbas Khan as our vocalists. It mainly allows us to have lots of variety along with different personalities entertaining the audience.  

 What inspires you as a collective? 

  The inspiration comes from the love that we all have for each other, as artists and humans. This then, motivates us to work harder and push each other to succeed.  

 What makes AR Rahman such a special talent? 

  AR Rahman, I believe, changed the face of Indian film music with his sound and arrangements. As a successor to RD Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan before that, he has been a trendsetter with (soundtracks such as) Roja, Thiruda Thiruda, Bombay, Rangeela and so many more.  

How does this compare to other shows you have done? 

  This show has the same aesthetics as our previous shows such as Bollywood Jackson or the forthcoming Retro Future, but vocally, the songs are much more challenging.  

 Why should we all come to the show?  

If you want to experience something different in terms of a creative sound with the songs recreated, then you definitely should not miss this show. There will be elements of surprises within the songs. For example, Jiya Jale has been revamped with a famous r’n’b, hip hop song as its base. Jashn-E-Bahara will have a trance feel about it. For this reason and other surprises, you should definitely come to our show.  

 Rahmanisce: The Songs of AR Rahman at Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE next Friday (8); and Mystique Banqueting Suite, 928a Melton Road, Britannia Way, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8GR on Saturday, October 7. www.becktheatre.org.uk and  www.eventbrite.co.uk 

More For You

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12 2025

Getty Images

Taylor Swift hides behind £6,000 bulletproof barrier at Chiefs game after Charlie Kirk murder sparks safety fears

Highlights:

  • Taylor Swift reportedly used a £6,000 (₹7.14 lakh) bulletproof portable shield to attend Travis Kelce’s game discreetly.
  • Heightened security follows the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk last week.
  • Swift’s low-profile entry marked a departure from her usual public arrivals at Arrowhead Stadium.
  • Fans speculate the singer opted for extra protection amid growing safety concerns.

Taylor Swift took unprecedented precautions at Sunday’s Kansas City Chiefs game, reportedly shielding herself behind a bulletproof barrier as she watched fiancé Travis Kelce play. The heightened security comes amid concerns following Charlie Kirk’s shocking murder, showing that Swift’s safety remains a top priority. Fans noticed the unusual arrival, sparking discussions online about the superstar’s protective measures.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12 2025 Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Pawan Kalyan OG

Pawan Kalyan’s OG breaks overseas records with sold-out shows days before release

Instagram/ogmovieofficial

Pawan Kalyan’s 'They Call Him OG' sells out world’s second-biggest IMAX in Melbourne in just 2 minutes

Highlights:

  • Advance bookings for They Call Him OG begin overseas with record sell-outs
  • Melbourne IMAX, the world’s second-largest screen, sold out in just 2 minutes
  • Additional shows added in Sydney and Coventry due to massive demand
  • Film marks Emraan Hashmi’s Telugu debut alongside Pawan Kalyan

The anticipation for Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited action film They Call Him OG, popularly called OG, has reached unprecedented levels. Overseas advance bookings opened this week, and within minutes the buzz translated into packed theatres. At Melbourne IMAX, the world’s second-largest cinema screen with 461 seats, tickets sold out in just two minutes. The feat proves both the global demand for OG and the star power of Pawan Kalyan, whose fanbase stretches far beyond India.

Pawan Kalyan OG Pawan Kalyan’s OG breaks overseas records with sold-out shows days before release Instagram/ogmovieofficial

Keep ReadingShow less
Coachella 2026

Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and a long-awaited Bieber debut — Coachella 2026 rewrites the pop playbook

Instagram Screengrab/coachella

Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter confirmed as Coachella 2026 headliners with Karol G joining the lineup

Highlights:

  • Coachella confirms 2026 lineup with Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma headlining
  • Festival runs 10–12 April and 17–19 April at the Empire Polo Club in California
  • Bieber headlines Coachella for the first time after years of guest spots
  • Ticket prices range from £445 (₹47,300) for general entry to over £970 (₹1.03 lakh) for VIP passes

The Coachella 2026 lineup has been released, placing Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma at the top of the bill. For Bieber, it marks a long-delayed first full set at the desert festival after years of cameo appearances, while Carpenter returns in a headline role following her recent chart run. Karol G leads Sunday with her Latin pop power, and Anyma brings a high-tech electronic show to close the circle.

Coachella 2026 Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and a long-awaited Bieber debut — Coachella 2026 rewrites the pop playbook Instagram Screengrab/coachella

Keep ReadingShow less
Dhanush & young son Linga
Instagram Screengrab/life_of_aakash/redgiantmovies_

Dhanush stuns fans as young son Linga joins him for impromptu dance at 'Idli Kadai’ audio launch

Highlights:

  • Actor-director Dhanush performed live with composer GV Prakash at Chennai event.
  • Youngest son Linga joined his father on stage, dancing alongside him.
  • Dhanush recounted childhood memories that inspired the story of Idli Kadai.
  • The film, featuring a star-studded cast, is set to release on 1 October.

Dhanush delighted fans at the Idli Kadai audio launch in Chennai with a touching father-son moment, performing the film’s hit song Enjami Thandhaane alongside music composer GV Prakash. The actor’s youngest son, Linga, joined him on stage, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated with audiences. Dhanush also shared personal childhood memories, revealing how his love for idlis inspired the upcoming film.

Dhanush & young son Linga Dhanush stuns fans as young son Linga joins him for impromptu dance at 'Idli Kadai’ audio launch Instagram Screengrab/life_of_aakash/redgiantmovies_

Keep ReadingShow less
AI art

Two leading AI tools shaping digital art

Seedream 4.0 / Nano Banana

Seedream 4.0 and Nano Banana fuel AI art craze themed around Bollywood

Highlights

  • Two leading AI tools shaping digital art, Seedream 4.0 and Google’s Gemini Nano Banana
  • Seedream 4.0 generates high-resolution imaginative visuals in multiple styles
  • Nano Banana transforms selfies into retro Bollywood-inspired portraits
  • Viral on Instagram, TikTok, and X, with global audiences engaging
  • Experts highlight data privacy, authenticity, and ethical concerns

AI-powered creativity is sweeping social media, with Seedream 4.0 and Nano Banana AI capturing the imagination of users worldwide. Seedream 4.0 is designed for digital artists and hobbyists who want to create detailed, high-quality visuals in a wide range of styles, from realistic landscapes to abstract scenes. Nano Banana, on the other hand, allows users to turn selfies into 1990s Bollywood-inspired portraits, often featuring traditional South Asian attire and nostalgic retro backdrops.

A global viral phenomenon


Both tools have seen rapid adoption in 2025. Seedream 4.0 attracts those seeking versatile, high-resolution creative outputs. Nano Banana has gone viral for its playful, culturally resonant edits. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X are flooded with creations from influencers, celebrities, and everyday users, showing the broad appeal of AI-driven art.

Keep ReadingShow less