22102024-LSTC-01.qxd 10/22/2024 12:17 AM Page 1 c m y b NEW POSTER UNVEILED Ahead of his birthday, the makers of Prabhasstarrer The Raja Saab unveiled the film's new poster. The poster features Prabhas in a stylish avatar. He could be seen donning a checkered shirt. The Raja Saab is directed by Maruthi and it has an electrifying score by Thaman S. TRIBUNE Celebrations! Life Sobhita Dhulipala and Telugu star Naga Chaitanya, have dropped pictures from the Pasupu Danchadam ceremony, which marks the beginning of wedding festivities in Telugu culture. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 22 OCTOBER 2024 Dark space, bright mind Haardik Gabbi, who will be seen in the series Black Warrant, says being the brother of Wamiqa Gabbi is a help, but ultimately it’s his own talent that will help him succeed Nonika Singh G ETTING into the skin of a hardened criminal at the young age of 28 sounds like a tough ballgame. But Chandigarh-based Haardik Gabbi, who goes by the stage name Puran Gabbi, had no hesitation in getting into this dark headspace of a criminal’s mind. Soon, he will be seen playing Ranga of the notorious Billa-Ranga infamy, who had kidnaped and killed the Chopra kids in 1978, in the upcoming series Black Warrant. The reason for saying yes to the part was a no-brainer. Who would not give want to work with celebrated director Vikramditya Motwane, who helms Black Warrant and directs the segment in which Haardik has been cast? Incidentally, Haardik, who happens to be a singermusician and runs a band TMDA with his friend Pulkit Tewari, had gone to meet Motwane for a musical assignment. But as Motwane heard his rather dark songs, he suggested — why don’t you audition for act- ZAHEER AND SONAKSHI ing? Presto, one-and-a-halfmonth later he got the green signal! Since the series is based on a book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury, and looks at eight death sentences which were carried out during Gupta’s tenure, Haardik read as much as he could about jail inmates on the death row. Today, it has made this student of psychology better understand how the mind of a criminal works. Talking about Motwane’s directorial method, MIRA AND SHAHID he shares, “Well, it does not involve minute-by-minute interference. Only his audition process is manifold and much before you are signed, a long conversation prepares the actor in you for the character.” Interestingly, Haardik gets to croon in the series too. “Ranga had become religious as death dawned near and would sing songs too,” he says. Music one could presume is Haardik’s first love. After all, he has studied the subject for five long years, both in school and in college. And it was this love that took PRIYANKA AND NICK him to Vishal Bhardwaj, whom he assisted in music during the making of Khufiya and Kutte. Meeting Vishal’s equally talented other half, Rekha Bhardwaj, was perhaps a forgone conclusion. Only, he had the good fortune of not just a face-to-face interaction with the gifted singer, but also a chance to sing with and compose for her in an independent album. Hailing her as ‘goddess’ whose songs have been his ringtone for years, singing with Rekha is far more than a ‘pinch me’ moment for him. He says, KATRINA KAIF Tradition scores big on Karwa Chauth SONAM IN MINT GREEN SHILPA SHETTY SONAM KAPOOR OTHER CELEBS SHINE TOO As the nation celebrated Karwa Chauth with great excitement, B-town wives also joined the festivities. On Sunday, Sonam Kapoor was spotted arriving at her father Anil Kapoor’s residence to celebrate the special occasion. Even though Sonam does not fast, she never misses a chance to glam up. She looked stunning as she chose to skip the usual red and pink outfits often worn for Karwa Chauth. Instead, she wore a beautiful mint green ensemble. Earlier, Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Geeta Basra, Neelam and Mira Kapoor, were spotted arriving at Anil and Sunita Kapoor’s residence on Sunday evening for the traditional Karwa Chauth puja. While Raveena donned an Anarkali suit, Shilpa opted for a red saree. Maheep Kapoor and Bhavana Panday came together. Katrina Kaif posted stunning pictures, wearing a lovely baby pink and golden saree. One of the photos showed her taking blessings from Vicky Kaushal’s mother, while another captured a sweet family moment with Vicky and his parents. She also shared a solo picture, looking radiant in the saree, proudly flaunting her sindoor. Kirti Kharbanda also shared adorable pictures with husband Pulkit Samrat. Dressed in a golden saree, Kirti posed alongside Pulkit, who wore a simple white kurta. Rakul Preet added a set of romantic photos with her husband, Jackky Bhagnani. Both wore matching red outfits, and Rakul’s sweet caption read, “My sun, moon, universe, my everything... happy Karwa Chauth from us to you.” Raghav Chadha shared beautiful moments from his first Karwa Chauth with wife Parineeti Chopra. Mira Rajput, Shahid Kapoor’s wife, also posted a sweet selfie with her husband, calling him her ‘sun and moon’. Sonakshi Sinha, who tied the knot with Zaheer Iqbal in June 2023, celebrated her first Karwa Chauth with the latter fasting too! Mouni Roy joined in the celebration by sharing a lovely series of pictures with her husband, Suraj Nambiar, as they celebrated Karwa Chauth. Dressed in pink, Mouni looked stunning as she shared the joy of the special day with her fans. GEETA BASRA PRIYANKA GETS ‘FILMY’ Actress Priyanka Chopra shared a glimpse of her Karwa Chauth celebration with husband Nick Jonas, providing fans with a delightful insight into their festivities from London. — ANI c m y b RAVEENA TANDON “I had goose-bumps when she liked my songs and was so overwhelmed after we recorded the first of the four songs that I called Wamiqa and began to cry.” If Haardik’s surname Gabbi is not a giveaway, let it be said he is the younger brother of Wamiqa Gabbi, the Jubilee star. While Wamiqa has made it sans a godfather, Haardik admits having her in the industry is a privilege. He says, “It gives me the opportunity to knock on many doors, but ultimately you have to chart your own journey and she can’t help me become a better artiste.” An artiste is how he defines himself when quizzed whether he is a singer first or an actor? Opening the concerts for Talwinder, an emerging singing sensation, Haardik is certainly on a song. Only his head is on his shoulders and sorted too. Quoting Robert de Niro ‘The talent is in choices’, if he lauds his sister for making the right ones, he too will be picky when life offers him as many chances. Till then, he is ready to soak in the sheer I had goose-bumps when Rekha Bhardwaj liked my songs and was so overwhelmed after we recorded the first four songs. presence of geniuses like Bhardwaj and Motwane. He adds, “There are a million things to learn from observing these greats at work.” His unconventional choice for an acting debut too is a learning curve. Since it makes him privy to, “An emotion of the murderer I will never have access to in real life.” If his wisdom belies his youth, he owes it all to his artistic family, singer grandfather and father Govardhan Gabbi, a noted Punjabi writer. Love makes a family and in his case love for art too.