HOW THE SKA VENGERS PUT THEIR OWN UNIQUE STAMP ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
BRITISH keyboardist Stefan Kaye put up an advert looking to form a ska band because he thought it might be a fun project to start in India.
That is because there were no prominent ska/ reggae acts in the country at the time. Meanwhile Raghav, who runs a reggae sound system in Delhi, was in London and responded to the advert.
Nikhil and Tony were already playing with Stefan in the band Emperor Minge, so came on board for the unique project. Samara C, who sang with Emperor Minge, was a natural choice to join.
Then Taru, who is a dancehall singer, joined a few months later and The Ska Vengers were born. Since then they have made a significant mark on the music industry. The New Delhi-based band have blended ska rhythms with a range of influences for refreshingly different, energetic and highly danceable music.
Although they have released acclaimed albums and songs, the band is at their best live and have delivered knock-out performances, including at major mainstream festivals across the UK and the largest rock concert held in an Indian prison.
They are one of the headline acts at the annual Alchemy festival taking place at Southbank Centre in London this week. Eastern Eye caught up with the band ahead of their concert to talk about their music, live performance, inspirations and more...
How did the band become connected?
Most of us in the band had listened to and are fond of ska or ska-influenced music, so it was quite a natural thing to do. What inspired us is our common love for ska-influenced music. Some of us got into it through punk rock, others through reggae, dancehall and jazz forms.
What drew you all to the ska sound?
The groove, the simplicity and the sheer fun it generates. It is very hard not to move to ska music.
Who are your heroes of ska music?
I don’t think we have heroes as such. Our music is informed by several different styles, but as far as ska influences are concerned, perhaps Lee Scratch Perry, Skatalites, The Specials and Jackie Mitoo would figure.
Tell us about your music...
It’s better you listen!
How do you look back on your journey as a band?
Perhaps in a similar way as an exasperated school principle reviewing the progress of a particularly troublesome pupil who will cock a snoop at a formal education system and refuses to wear the correct tie.
How has the band evolved across the different acclaimed albums?
Certainly we have evolved into a band that does not play strictly ska music. Our very first gigs were mainly covers of ska songs or ska versions of songs by The Clash, Lee Perry and even Bollywood composer RD Burman. By the time we came around to recording our first album, there was a fair amount of soul and funk there as well as ska offshoots such as rock-steady, dub and straight-forward reggae.
These days we are concerned less about fitting into any particular music genre. We have freed ourselves up to include more of the styles we love and grown up with. The second album, XX has easy listening/exotica, Afro beat, Afro Cuban, punk, jazz, psychedelia and even some Indian classical thrown into the pot.
Are there any songs closest to the bands heart?
There are many songs that have a special place for us due to how they came about, but we will always like Frank Brazil. It’s perhaps our most narrative song and tells the story of freedom fighter Udham Singh, aka Muhammad Singh Azad, aka Frank Brazil, who travelled to England in 1934 to assassinate Sir Michael Francis O’Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab in revenge for the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre.
At the moment, the environment in India, as elsewhere in the world, is very polarised, but this is one of the few tunes that both right-wing and left-leaning Indians appreciated.
How much does live performance mean to you?
Live performance is the single thing that makes it all worthwhile. We enjoy the end product of recording songs and videos, but the process of performing live enables us to connect with each other and our audiences on a more fundamental level.
You have had some epic live performances, but what has been the most memorable?
Without a doubt, this would be the show we staged at Tihar Jail in India. We had 2,000 enthusiastic prisoners dancing as much as the wardens would permit, but appeared to thoroughly enjoy the show despite obvious language barriers.
How much of your live set is planned beforehand?
Probably about 80 per cent! We figure out the set-list, and depending on the vibe of the audience we tend to shuffle some songs about.
How much are you looking forward to performing at Alchemy?
We are looking forward to this concert as much as an umbrella salesman looks forward to the monsoon. One can expect not to remain seated for very long and to become an Indian ska convert before the end of the show.
What is the secret of a great live performance?
We think it’s about being present, letting loose and not worrying too much about making an impression.
Which songs gets the greatest response live?
Probably the most high energy and songs which are easier to dance to! Our take on The Velvet Underground’s Waiting For The Man, Cumbanchero and the Afro Beat-inspired Double X.
What do you all love about London as a musical destination?
The keyboardist Stefan Kaye is from London and was very much part of the scene through the 1990s. We would have to say the sheer number of grassroots venues. We love playing festivals, but the intimacy of a typical London toilet venue is unbeatable!
What can we expect next from the band?
We have a music video for our song Afro-Fantasy in the pipeline, and a few songs that didn’t make it to the XX album that we will put out as an EP shortly.
What is the best and worst thing about being in a band?
The best thing is the joy of performing live. The worst is having to get up early for flights, closely followed by delayed sound-checks. We recently played a festival in Pune. Our sound-check was scheduled for 6.30am. We dragged ourselves out of bed to get there on time, but the sound engineer was still asleep and the stage hadn’t been set up.
How do you get around creative differences?
This is not usually a problem as we try to keep a balance between different styles, and usually there is room to absorb our individual tastes. The compromises that we often make add, we like to think, to the uniqueness of the band’s sound.
What inspires you as a band?
There are many things that inspire us as a band, and not all of them musical. For example, Hitchcock movies, jazz cigarettes and mating habits of angler fish.
Why should we come to your Alchemy performance in London?
There is no should about it, but we do understand you may have more pressing engagements.
Why do you love music?
When we hear a musical pattern that is new to our ears, our brains try to make an association through whatever visual, auditory or any other sensory cues that may accompany it. We try to contextualise the new sounds and eventually we create these memory links between a particular set of notes and a particular place, time or set of events.
Beyond just from what we hear, what we see, what we expect, how we move, and the sum of our life experiences all contribute to how we experience music. Music acquires new identity in the mind of every new listener. It is always in the world, neither guilty nor innocent, subject to the ever-changing human landscape in which it moves.
The Ska Vengers perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre in London on May 6 2018 at 10pm as part of Alchemy. Visit www. southbankcentre.co.uk for more information and tickets.
• Meenakshi Jayan bags best actress at Shanghai International Film Festival’s Asian New Talent Awards • Wins for her role in Victoria, the only Indian film in competition this year • Victoria is directed by Sivaranjini J and backed by Kerala’s Women Empowerment Grant • Jayan prepared for her role by working at a beauty parlour and learning the Angamaly accent
Indian actress Meenakshi Jayan has won the best actress award at the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), recognised in the Asian New Talent section for her role in the Malayalam film Victoria. Directed by debutant Sivaranjini J, the film was the only Indian entry in competition this year.
Jayan plays a young beautician from Angamaly, Kerala, navigating a day of personal turmoil as she plans to elope with her Hindu boyfriend, despite her Catholic family’s objections. Her quiet rebellion is interrupted by a neighbour’s rooster, meant for a church festival, setting off an emotional spiral filled with conflict, faith, and self-discovery.
To fully immerse herself in the role, Jayan spent two months working in a local beauty parlour and trained with a dialect coach to master the Angamaly accent. Her grounded, realistic performance had already earned her the best performer title at the Independent and Experimental Film Festival Kerala (IEFFK) earlier this year.
The film, funded by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation under its Women Empowerment Grant, premiered at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), where it picked up the FIPRESCI Award for best Malayalam film by a debut director.
India makes its mark on the international festival circuit
Jayan’s win is a significant moment for Indian independent cinema, especially regional films. Victoria stood out not just for its storytelling but also for its production support aimed at empowering women filmmakers.
At the same festival, As the Water Flows from China won best film in the Asian New Talent section, and Where the Night Stands Still, an Italy-Philippines collaboration, earned Liryc Dela Cruz the best director title. Shi Pengyuan won best actor for Water Can Go Anywhere.
In the main competition, Kyrgyz film Black Red Yellow won best feature. Japan’s On Summer Sand and China’s Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts shared the jury grand prix. Wan Qian won best actress in that category, while Portugal-Brazil co-production The Scent of Things Remembered earned José Martins best actor.
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Bianca Censori and Kanye West walking hand in hand in New York City
Bianca Censori was spotted in NYC on 21 June wearing a sheer top and leather micro shorts.
Kanye West dressed in his usual covered-up style with a pop of blue in his shoelaces.
The couple’s appearance follows a reconciliation earlier this year after a brief split.
Censori has drawn criticism for her increasingly revealing outfits and recent distracted driving allegations.
Bianca Censori turned heads once again as she stepped out in New York City with her husband, Kanye West, wearing a sheer black top with no bra and ultra-short leather shorts. The couple were spotted walking through the city on Saturday, 21 June, continuing their string of public appearances in bold fashion choices and controversial moments.
The Australian model and Yeezy designer, known for her fashion, paired her see-through top with open black stilettos and newly styled long hair with feathered bangs, a departure from her previous slicked-back bun look. The 30-year-old’s outfit left little to the imagination, once again igniting online chatter about her fashion evolution and public persona since marrying West in December 2022.
Censori's revealing look in NYC quickly made the rounds online, fuelling both admiration and criticism. While her daring wardrobe has become a signature, this appearance came days after she was seen in an edible candy bra set on another city outing, raising fresh questions about her public image.
Her fashion choices often reference Kim Kardashian, West’s ex-wife, from beachy waves to plunging bodysuits. Social media comparisons are frequent, especially as Censori adopts a similar visual style with a more explicit edge.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori file lawsuit against celebrity dentist Dr. Thomas Connelly, alleging reckless drug administration and exploitation Youtube Screengrab
Kanye West and Bianca Censori's relationship post-split
The couple’s latest appearance comes just months after a reported breakup in February, triggered by West’s ongoing controversies, including antisemitic statements and the promotion of offensive merchandise. A source close to the situation had described that phase as “potentially unsurvivable” for their marriage.
However, by April, the pair had reconciled and resumed their public outings, including a headline-making visit to a sex shop. Since then, West has publicly embraced Censori as his “submissive partner,” even reposting fan messages that describe her as obedient and loyal to him.
Bianca Censori and Kanye West outing raises eyebrows amid rumours of relationship tension Instagram/whoopsee.it
Their relationship continues to draw attention, both for its unpredictable fashion statements and the provocative dynamic they openly embrace.
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Trisha Krishnan’s birthday post with Thalapathy Vijay and her dog renews dating rumours
• Thalapathy Vijay turned 51 on 22 June 2025 • Trisha Krishnan’s birthday post shows Vijay with her dog, Izzy • Fans speculate about a relationship as the post goes viral • Trisha’s mother’s reaction adds fuel to the dating buzz
On Thalapathy Vijay’s 51st birthday, co-star Trisha Krishnan shared a seemingly innocent photo that’s now causing quite a stir online. In the picture, Vijay is seen playing with Trisha’s dog Izzy, while she looks on, smiling warmly. The caption, “Happy Birthday bestest” with hug and evil eye emojis, has sent fans into a frenzy, reviving the long-standing rumours of a secret relationship between the two Tamil cinema stars.
Trisha’s post with Vijay and her dog ignites curiosity
While birthday wishes from fans poured in for Vijay, it was Trisha’s post that stood out. The image feels intimate, almost personal. Fans quickly noted that Izzy, the dog in the picture, was adopted by Trisha earlier this year, ruling out speculation that the photo was from an old event like The GOAT success meet. The post has now sparked fresh conversations about their alleged off-screen bond.
Online users have been quick to react. “Okay official now,” one person commented. Another wrote, “This can’t be a coincidence anymore.” Reddit threads have analysed everything from Vijay’s shirt colour to the timeline of Izzy’s adoption to connect the dots.
Trisha’s mother’s response deepens fan speculation
Adding to the chatter, Trisha’s mother, Uma Krishnan, also re-shared the post with heart emojis, confusing fans even further. Many interpreted this as silent approval, while others questioned why she would publicly endorse the photo if there wasn’t more to it.
This isn’t the first time the duo have sparked such talk. Back in 2024, Trisha posted a cosy lift selfie with Vijay on his 50th birthday, and both were later seen attending a wedding in Goa together. Despite growing curiosity, neither has commented on the rumours.
Vijay, married to Sangeetha since 1999 with two children, has always kept his personal life private. As he gears up for his final film Jana Nayagan before stepping into full-time politics, the renewed buzz around his bond with Trisha is keeping both fans and gossip columns on high alert.
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Ezra Miller attends the 'Justice League' photocall
• Ezra Miller made their first major appearance in years at Cannes 2024. • They said their relationship with Hollywood remains “tentative”. • Miller is co-writing a new film with Die My Love director Lynne Ramsay. • They acknowledged remorse for past behaviour and said writing helped during solitude.
After years of controversy and retreat from public life, Ezra Miller has spoken out about their future in Hollywood and the difficult road it took to get here. The actor, best known for roles in Fantastic Beasts and The Flash, attended the Cannes Film Festival in May, marking their first major public appearance in years.
In a candid interview with Italian outlet Lo Speciale Giornale, published on 19 June, Miller described the experience as a “hard re-entry” and admitted their relationship with the industry remains “on tentative grounds”.
Ezra Miller attends the Los Angeles premiere of Warner Bros. "The Flash"Getty Images
Finding comfort in solitude and storytelling
Miller explained their decision to attend Cannes was rooted in loyalty to long-time collaborator and friend Lynne Ramsay, who was premiering her new film Die My Love. “She asked me to come, and if there’s anything I still believe in, it’s devotion to your people,” they said.
The two are now working on a film together, which Miller believes will be their first major creative project since 2023’s The Flash. “I’ve been writing a lot. You can do that in solitude, which has been friendly to me,” they said, reflecting on how time away from the spotlight has allowed them to stay creatively grounded.
Remorse, reckoning, and a slow re-entry
While Miller did not revisit each allegation directly, including arrests and troubling behaviour between 2020 and 2022, they acknowledged the emotional impact of those years. “Not that I don’t hold a lot of remorse for the things I did,” they said, “but I’m really grateful for the lessons that came with that abyss.”
They added that surviving those personal challenges gave them a deeper sense of empathy for others going through similar struggles. “When we survive our crucibles, we gain the ability to reach toward others in theirs,” Miller said.
Ezra Miller attends the Apple Store Soho presentation Getty Images
Though no new screen projects have been officially confirmed, the collaboration with Ramsay signals a cautious but deliberate creative return.
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Diljit Dosanjh in a still from Sardaar Ji 3 set for overseas release only
Trailer is geo-blocked in India; film to release overseas on 27 June.
Netizens accuse Diljit Dosanjh of being “anti-national”.
Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3 will not be screened in Indian cinemas. Instead, the film will only be released in international markets on 27 June, after calls for a boycott intensified online due to the inclusion of Pakistani actors, particularly Hania Aamir. The move follows the tragic Pahalgam terror attack and renewed enforcement of the entertainment industry’s ban on cross-border collaborations.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), requesting that Sardaar Ji 3 be denied clearance. Their objection stems from the casting of Pakistani actors, including Hania Aamir, Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela, at a time when India-Pakistan relations are strained following the April attack that left 26 people dead.
In line with government directives discouraging any partnerships with Pakistani artists, the makers dropped plans for a domestic release. Director Amar Hundal’s film now gears up solely for an international audience.
Hania Aamir’s Instagram account was also blocked in India after she allegedly made anti-India comments post-Operation Sindoor. The incident added fuel to the controversy already surrounding the film.
Trailer blocked in India, Diljit faces social media heat
On 22 June, Diljit Dosanjh shared the trailer on Instagram, writing: “Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27 June OVERSEAS only. FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN.” The YouTube trailer, however, is not accessible in India due to geo-blocking. While teasers and songs remain available, the trailer featuring Hania prominently has been restricted.
Sardaar Ji 3 features Diljit as a ghostbuster exorcising spirits from a haunted UK mansion. Hania Aamir plays a fellow ghost hunter, while Neeru Bajwa adds a romantic twist. But the film’s quirky humour has been overshadowed by the strong online backlash.
Many netizens called Diljit “shameless,” accusing him of prioritising career over country. Some even demanded his removal from upcoming films like Border 2. For now, Sardaar Ji 3 heads to a global audience, leaving behind a fierce debate in its wake.