Guarantees vivacious VJ-singer Anushka Manchanda, part of five member band Shkabang, which is all set to stir up the city this week
Guarantees vivacious VJ-singer Anushka Manchanda, part of five member band Shkabang, which is all set to stir up the city this week
She's back with a Shkabang. The attitudinal Anushka Manchanda, that is. Her new gang is a group of guys, and she's happy there's no chick. "No chik chik." And we got curious about that whacky name. "We wanted a fun name that didn't classify the band into a particular genre. And then, a friend came up with Shkabang." They're all about electro rock-and-roll, she elaborates. The band, which is working on its debut album, has rocked The Blue Frog in Mumbai thrice. Today will mark their first gig in Delhi, at Hard Rock Cafe. 
Red hop: Anushka Manchanda, Abhijit Nalani, Shiraz Bhattacharya,
Johan Pais and Pozy Dhar
And Anushka can't stop beaming. "I have my family and all my school friends here. So does the rest of the band. So, we will play our a**es off. As Dilliwalas say, feel aa jayegi," she assures. The ensemble boasts of members from some of India's best known bandsu00a0-- Pentagram, Tough on Tobacco and Hipnotribe. The story of how they came together is simple. "Shiraz (Bhattacharya) and Abhijit (Nalani) are very good friends of mine. We've known each other since long. Once, we were asked to play some stuff live, and I asked Pozy (Dhar) to play, too. We had a great time performing together, and decided to write some new music and start playing as a band."
Abhijit takes the keyboard, Shiraz does the drums, Pozy the guitar, Papal Mane the bass and the lady in conversation croons. There's also another member, Johan Pais, who's giving this gug a miss. "He's on a long holiday." And that's cool. "Abhijit is our producer and vodka provider, Shiraz is the funny one, Pozy is the most good-looking and the most serious. Papal, erm, is the energy house," Anushka looks around. She, by confession, is The Whacky One, as always.
Ek Viva aisa bhi
Wonder what happened to the Viva-cious spirit of the girl group that Anushka was once part of? She claims that Pratichee is still her best friend, and the pleasantly plump Mahua, like family. It's Neha Bhasin that she doesn't want to talk about. "I don't talk to her; I don't meet her, and I feel no competition from her at all. Even if there is some, I don't think about it. I always try and give my best." And that includes acting, too.
Anushka had a small part to play in Dulha Mil Gaya, but it just happened, she explains. "It happened when I was singing for the film, and Muddasar (the director), asked me to do this role. DMG was a friend's film, and everyone on the set was like family to me. So, I agreed. Otherwise, I have no celluloid dreams. I am very clear about my focus. My band. Music is me and I want to be here."
And what is it like to be the only girl in the group? "It is so much cooler, and far more relaxing. Boys are more chilled out, and far-removed from the conventional catty behaviour that comes with the girls."
The yet-to-be famous five are busy writing new stuff and rehearsing religiously for the big day. "After the performance," we plan to shoot another video and release our debut album." Bon beginning, babies.
Shkabang live
At Hard Rock Cafe, DLF Place, Saket
When February 25, 9 pm onwards
Call 47158888
Entry fee:u00a0 Rs 250
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