Biography
Gurdeep Singh hails from the renowned Ahluwalia clan of Lahore, Punjab. His paternal family were affluent landowners, while his maternal grandfather served as a Police Commissioner in Lahore. During the partition of India and Pakistan, his family fled overnight hidden in the back of a truck. After reaching India, his parents settled in Agra near the Taj Mahal, where Gurdeep was born into a family with two older sisters and one older brother. His father joined the Indian Railways as a Carriage Inspector and had also fought alongside the British Army during World War II in Burma.
As the son of a railway official, Gurdeep moved frequently, rarely staying in one place for more than two years. Following his father's retirement, his older brother relocated the family to Bombay (now Mumbai). In 1960, at age 16, Gurdeep graduated from high school in Bombay. During his senior year, he developed a strong interest in the Bombay film studios, writing about film stars for popular magazines and publishing short stories in major literary journals. Concerned about Gurdeep's early involvement in the film industry, his brother enrolled him at the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Arts.
While at Sir J.J., Gurdeep gained recognition as a photojournalist, with his work appearing in prominent Indian publications. He was also invited to read his short stories on All India Radio, Bombay. He graduated in 1967 with a degree in Applied Arts and a diploma in Fine Arts. After graduation, he founded the advertising firm Studio CAS, catering to Bombay’s publishing and entertainment sectors.
Gurdeep’s breakthrough came in 1969 when he starred as a Sikh man with a full beard and turban in the film Uski Roti. This was a historic moment for Indian cinema. His portrayal of a tough, hard-drinking bus driver leading a double life — with a wife in the village and a mistress in the city — earned critical acclaim. However, despite the praise, Gurdeep found the industry's politics and betrayals disheartening and soon lost interest in film. He ceased writing and photography to focus seriously on painting.
In early 1971, Gurdeep sold his possessions and moved to the United States. There, he continued painting and exhibited his work in New York, New Jersey, and briefly back in Bombay. He also worked as an Art Director for three New York City firms. In 1989, he established a New York-based advertising and marketing company that served national and international clients.
In 2002, an acquaintance suggested Gurdeep for a small TV role, marking his return to the film industry. He decided to close his advertising firm to pursue acting full-time. A proud Sikh, Gurdeep embraces the teachings of the Ten Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib. He is also the devoted father of two daughters and three sons, whom he affectionately calls his "Panj Piyare," after the first five Sikhs baptized by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Gurdeep currently resides with his family in New York City.
