THE DJs will be taking over this party season in a big way. One of the rising British stars to look out for is DJ Mixa Lucks, who will be spinning the hottest tunes at Bombay Funkadelic’s 2020 NYE Naach party at Cinnamon Kitchen and Anise Bar in London on December 31.
Real name Harjeet Singh Madan, he grew up in Bicester and is in demand nationwide for being able to mix up tunes from different genres.
Eastern Eye caught up with hot right now DJ Mixa Lucks to find out more.
What first connected you to DJing?
I was lucky enough to have close family members – LL Cool Singh, Dholi x and Phatboy Singh – already embedded in the industry. When watching them, I wanted to get involved. So, on my 14th birthday, my dad bought my brother and I a pair of Soundlab turntables. This enabled me to develop my own style by practising every day in the garage.
Tell us about the kind of DJ sets you do?
As a Punjabi, I love my bhangra and Bollywood music. However, I love the urban style of music and mixing it up with all genres
What is the secret of a great DJ set?
My secret is to not always blend the music, but to switch it and throw the crowd by surprise.
What has been your most memorable gig?
It was in Club Rouge, London, in the early 2000s, alongside Dr Psycho. The whole night was on vinyl, and the crowd was amazing. It was a feeling that would never leave you.
Do you have any go-to tunes that never fail?
I have never had a bank of tunes, but if I were to pick the ultimate club banger, it would be Fatman Scoop’s Be Faithful. It’s worked since the early days on vinyl up until the last gig I was DJing at.
What music do you listen to when not working?
I love all kinds of music. If the song has a good production and a great medley, I’ll listen to it. I tend to go through phases; one week it might be garage, the next grime and even a little bit of school cheese.
Can you share a memorable Djing story?
My DJing journey started when I was 15. My brother and I started a DJ crew, Desi Cuts, which later evolved into Eminent DJs. Since then, I have many stories which have been memorable. But the most memorable was when we joined Ray Panthaki to support him on a short movie Life Sentence. The film won Best UK Short at the East End Film Festival.
How do you stay on top of all the music?
The key to staying on top of the music collection is listening to radio stations and researching the charts for each genre. The earlier days were a lot easier – HMV for English and Metro Music on Southall Broadway for bhangra and Bollywood
Why do you love being a DJ?
It is in my blood. The energy you get when the crowd is having a good time and enjoying your style of mixing – it gives you a buzz that you can’t buy.
Visit www.bombayfunkadelic.com and to find out more about DJ Mixa Lucks, visit Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat: @mixalucks
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.