Gippy Grewalਗਿੱਪੀ ਗਰੇਵਾਲ

Early life

Rupinder Singh Grewal was born on 2 January 1983 in the village of Koom Kalan near Ludhiana, Punjab. He studied at Nankana Sahib Public School, Kot Gangu Rai, and then earned a degree in hotel management from the North India Institute of Hotel Management in Panchkula. Before music, he worked in a Delhi hotel — an experience he later joked prepared him for the hospitality of fame.

Music career

Grewal entered the Punjabi music industry with the album Chakk Ley (2002), followed by Nasha and Mele Mittaran De. But it was the 2004 single 'Phulkari' that made him a star — the track became one of the biggest Punjabi hits of 2004–05, played by every bhangra DJ from Ludhiana to London. He followed with albums like Phulkari 2, Just Hits and Gangster (2011).

In 2012 his song 'Angreji Beat' was featured in the Bollywood film Cocktail, introducing his voice to a Hindi audience. Later hits included 'Oscar' and 'Hello Hello'. He remains a prolific singles artist, recording for his own label Humble Music as well as Speed Records and T-Series.

Film career

He made his acting debut in a supporting role in Mel Karade Rabba (2010), opposite Jimmy Shergill and Neeru Bajwa, which became one of the biggest Punjabi hits of its time. His first lead role, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya (2011), earned him the PTC Best Actor Award and had the biggest opening week for a Punjabi film at the time.

His comedy Carry On Jatta (2012) became a genre-defining hit, spawning a successful franchise, and he went on to lead Lucky Di Unlucky Story, Bhaji in Problem and Jatt James Bond (for which he won another PTC Best Actor award). Alongside his brother Sippy Grewal, he runs the production houses Humble Motion Pictures and Big Daddy Films, backing a new generation of Punjabi films.

Personal life

Grewal is married to Ravneet Kaur Grewal and the couple has three sons — Ekomkar, Gurfateh (known as Shinda) and Gurbaaz. His son Shinda has begun appearing alongside him in films.

Legacy

Known in Punjab as the 'Desi Rockstar', Gippy Grewal is that rare artist who conquered both music and cinema. 'Phulkari' defined an era of bhangra, and Carry On Jatta redefined Punjabi comedy — and as a producer, he is now shaping what the industry becomes next.