24102026-LSTC-01.qxd 10/23/2026 7:40 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is set to bring the life of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee to the big screen with his next project, tentatively titled Syama - The Missing Chapter. a, Hardik Verm s, aka DJ Luka blends sic lectronic mu e with a strong to connection ds Indian soun Mona A T 26, Hardik Verma is turning his passion for music into a career behind the decks, blending Bollywood and Punjabi sounds with electronic music to create high-energy experiences for audiences. Known professionally as DJ Lukas, shortened for Seleucus, Macedonian Greek general under Alexander the Great and the founder of the Seleucid Empire, a name given to him by his grandfather, Hardik discovered that music offered him a different kind of creative control — the ability to influence a crowd’s energy, get people dancing and connect with thousands through sound. A computer science engi- Jab they met! Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor reunite at IIFA press conference, share a warm hug Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor grabbed attention as they crossed paths at the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. The former costars and ex-lovers shared a warm hug when they met on the red carpet, creating a memorable moment at the star-studded event. Their friendly interaction quickly became a talking point, with the two actors appearing cordial as they greeted each other. It reminded many of a similar instance that took place last year at the IIFA press conference. Bebo and Shahid were in a relationship in the 2000s and starred together in several films, including Fida, Chup Chup Ke and Jab We Met. Their on-screen chemistry made them a fan favourite; however, the two parted ways just before Jab We Met was filmed. Years later, Kareena married Saif Ali Khan and had two sons, while Shahid tied the knot with Mira Rajput and now has a son and a daughter. Kareena Kapoor Khan, meanwhile, opted for an all-black ensemble, completing her look with stylish sunglasses. Shahid looked dapper Mika’s demand Life A FILM ON SYAMA PRASAD MUKHERJEE in a classic white suit. Other celebrities at the event were Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna, Abhishek Banerjee, Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi. The IIFA Awards ceremony will be hosted by actor Varun Dhawan along with Ananya Panday. They will be joined by Karan Johar and Manish Paul. The ceremony is also expected to feature performances by Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor. Rashmika Mandanna is set to make her IIFA debut at the upcoming edition and will perform live at the awards ceremony. The event will mark IIFA’s fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi and will be held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism— Abu Dhabi and Miral. The awards will take place on January 22 and 23, 2027. — ANI Clockwise from top: Shahid Kapoor. Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna and Kareena Kapoor Khan. c m y b Mika Singh is deeply hurt by the alleged disrespect shown to his brother Daler Mehndi by Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal on stage t in Uttarakhand recently. He demanded an apology from Subodh Uniyal. CHANDIGARH | SATURDAY | 24 OCTOBER 2026 Electronic energy, Indian soul neering graduate from Chandigarh University, Hardik initially pursued his degree while nurturing his passion for music. But his interest in DJing gradually grew into a serious career ambition. Inspired by DJs such as James Hype, Mochakk and Holy Priest, he began learning the craft, developing his mixing skills and understanding how to build a set that keeps audiences engaged. For Hardik, DJing is about reading the mood of a crowd, controlling the sound in real time and creating an atmosphere that can bring thousands of people together. His approach draws on electronic music while retaining a strong connection to Indian sounds, particularly Bollywood and Punjabi music. A Bollywood lover with an appreciation for traditional Indian music, he hopes to take this fusion to audiences across the country. His journey has taken years of learning and persistence. Although his family was not entirely convinced about his decision to pursue music at first, their outlook has begun to change as he takes on bigger stages and receives encouraging responses from audiences. Hardik has been building his presence across Chandigarh, Mohali, Delhi and other cities through club appearances, college festivals and events. With experience spanning different audiences and event formats, Hardik is working towards establishing a distinct identity as a DJ who can bridge contemporary electronic sounds and India’s popular musical traditions. He also sees music production as an important step, allowing him to move beyond mixing existing tracks and develop an original sound of his own. From an engineering classroom to the DJ console, Verma’s journey reflects the determination to turn a personal passion into a profession — one set, one crowd and one stage at a time.