Gurpreet Singh, popular by his stage name Ghuggi, is an Indian comedian, actor, and politician. A household name in Punjab, Ghuggi is known to tickle funny bones of the audience with his hilarious acts. Over the course of his career, he has played a plethora of comic roles in movies and TV serials. The actor-comedian had a brief stint in politics and served as a party convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit from September 2016 until 2017, when he got replaced by another comedian-turned-politician, Bhagwant Mann.
Wiki/Biography
A native of Khokhar Fojian village, located in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, Gurpreet Ghuggi was born on Monday, 19 July 1971 (age 49 years; as in 2020) in Jalandhar Punjab. His full name is Gurpreet Singh Wariach.
Gurpreet Ghuggi in childhood
He did his schooling from a local school in Jalandhar.
A school group photo featuring Gurpreet Ghuggi (face encircled)
Gurpreet got inclined towards acting at a tender age in his childhood. While growing up in Jalandhar, he saw a hard time as a teenager after his family business was struck by a financial crisis in the aftermath of an unprecedented financial loss. The then prevailing circumstances compelled Gurpreet to look for a job and simultaneously pursue his formal education, and most importantly, his hobby of drama. After passing class 10, Gurpreet started working as a daily-wage clerk outside Tehsil Kartarpur Sahib, a job that earned him Rs. 5-10 per day. At the end of the day, he used to give all the money that he had earned to his father. After returning from work, he used to travel 5 kms by foot to Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, where he used to take drama classes, and then come back at around 8 pm. His day would not end here. After having his dinner, he would go out for acting rehearsals with his fellow artists of Rehnuma Drama Group and then return home at around 1 in the mid-night. This hectic schedule continued till he completed his schooling. After completing class 12, Gurpreet realised that if he had to make it big in the acting field, then he will have to change the track that he was travelling on and lay his entire focus on acting. Considering the financial condition of his family, Gurpreet had to make a tough choice between lending a hand to his family to come out of the financial crisis, or to get enrolled in a college to pursue his acting aspirations. After pondering upon the two choices, Gurpreet enrolled himself at Doaba College of Education, Jalandhar (affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University), for a Bachelor of Arts degree. Seeing his financial condition and his acting talent, the college administration gave him 100 percent freeship (when the total tuition fee is paid by the authority itself) in admission. In the very first year at college, he was conferred with the title of “Best Actor” in the 1991 Guru Nanak Dev Youth Festival. The same year in 1991, with the help of his acts, G.N.D.U. was able to grab the Trophy of Best College in Drama” at the All India Inter-University Youth Festival held at Kamraj University Madurai (Tamilnadu) in 1991. He made the youth festival a platform to make people realise his talent. He created opportunities for himself, worked different places, including radio shows, television shows, and rose through the ranks to make an identity for himself in the Punjabi entertainment industry.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Gurpreet Singh is married to Kuljeet Kaur. She was one of the people who motivated Ghuggi to join politics. They together have two children, Sukhan (son) and Ramneek (daughter).
Gurpreet Ghuggi with his son, Sukhan Wariach
In 2009, Ghuggi participated in a comedy show, Hans Baliye, with his wife. The couple ended up winning the show.
Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi with his wife at a party conducted by the Hans Baliye production team
Career
In the Entertainment Industry
He started his career by acting in theatrical plays in the early 90s’. During that time, all the characters that he played were pretty serious kind of roles. Here is an episode of ‘Champion,’ Ghuggi’s first TV play telecast on DD Punjabi.
He transitioned into a comedy actor after meeting Balwinder Vicky, a popular Punjabi comedian of the 1990s’ (popularly known as Chacha Raunki Ram or Raunki Ram). Ghuggi considers him as his guru in comedy. Here is a live stage from 27 January 1996, where Ghuggi is performing live on the stage of Miss Punjab 1996 with his mentor comedian Balwinder Vicky.
During the initial phase of his career, Ghuggi worked in several TV opera soaps. His work in serials like Ghuggi Khol Pitari, Ghuggi Yaar Gupp Na Maar, Ghuggi De Barati, Daldal, Naseehat, Udeek, Lori, and Rishtey was appreciated by its viewers. The first Punjabi film that he acted in was “Jee Aayan Nu” (2004), a Punjabi romantic drama starring Harbhajan Mann. He played the role of a travel agent in the movie. Thereafter, he acted in a number of Punjabi comedy films including Ghuggi Chhoo Mantar (2004), a comedy film wherein Ghuggi has played the role of a thug who cheats people in his witty style. Here is a clip from the movie.
Along with acting in Punjabi films, Ghuggi has participated in a number of stand-up comedy shows on television. He earned great recognition nationally among the Indian viewers after appearing on “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge,” an Indian reality stand-up comedy series telecast on Star One.
Famous for playing supporting characters, Ghuggi he has also been seen in the lead roles in several Punjabi films. He was highly praised for his serious lead role as Gurmukh Singh in Punjabi film Ardas (2015).
Along with starring in Punjabi films, Ghuggi has also featured in a number of Bollywood movies like Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006), Namastey London (2007), Race (2008), and many more. He played the role of a politician Manjeet in the 2008 Indian action comedy film, Singh Is King, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif.
As a politician
Riding high on his popularity as an entertainer, Gurpreet Singh entered politics by joining the Aam Aadmi Party on 10 February 2016.
Gurpreet Ghuggi addressing Punjab Inqilab Rally at Balachaur on 10 December 2016
On 4 September 2016, he was made the party convenor replacing Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who allegedly took the bribe in exchange for poll tickets.
Ghuggi during a political rally in Amritsar after becoming the Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab Unit on 4 September 2016
On 10 May 2017, he resigned from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party two days after being replaced by Bhagwant Mann as the convenor of AAP’s Punjab unit. After resigning from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gurpreet Singh Wariach stated,
I cannot work under the leadership of a person who has been appointed on the condition that he will not drink (liquor).”
Facts/Trivia
- Born as Gurpreet Singh Wariach, Ghuggi is Gurpreet’s stage name, which was given to him by a popular comedian of the 90s’ Balwinder Vicky. Over the next few years, the name caught fire with his viewers, and thereafter, everyone, including Gurpreet himself, started referring to him as Ghuggi.
- Ghuggi is a teetotaller who has not consumed alcohol in his entire life. He has also abstained from non-vegetarian food items since 2005.
- Gurpreet Ghuggi gave up eating non-vegetarian food items due to some health complications in 2005.
- Gurpreet Ghuggi is fond of long drives. Whenever he needs some time off, he takes road trips with friends and family members.
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