Chandigarh, India — Behind every successful director is a story rarely told — one filled with long nights, uncertain mornings, tight budgets, and creative battles. For 27-year-old Gurpreet Singh, who now stands as a respected name in the Punjabi music and short film scene, the road wasn’t easy — but it was worth every step.
Born and raised in Amritsar, Gurpreet didn’t grow up with a camera in his hand or a studio in his backyard. What he had, however, was an eye for emotion, a heart full of stories, and an ambition that didn’t let him sleep. “I used to watch music videos and imagine how I would shoot them differently,” he recalls. “Back then, it was just a dream. I didn’t even know how to hold a camera.”
Discovering Direction Without a Map
In his early college years, Gurpreet started exploring basic editing software and shooting videos with a borrowed DSLR. He didn’t attend a fancy film school or assist a big-name director. Instead, he learned by watching, failing, retrying, and watching again.
“The biggest challenge in the beginning wasn’t lack of knowledge — it was lack of trust,” he says. “Why would someone give their song to an unknown kid with no background? That was the hardest part — getting the first opportunity.”
His first music video, “Teri Marzi,” was a self-funded project shot with local talent and limited equipment. “I had ₹20,000 saved. I spent most of it on location, food, and camera rent. The rest went into editing at a cyber café because I didn’t even have my own setup back then.”
The video didn’t go viral overnight. But it got noticed by a few local singers, and most importantly, it gave Gurpreet the confidence to keep going.
A Taste of the Industry: Harsh Truths and Hidden Lessons
Over the next few years, Gurpreet Singh directed videos for upcoming and independent artists. Songs like “Ik Din Avega Mudke,” “Suit,” “Reality,” and “Mutiyaar” helped him slowly build a name in the regional circuit. But along with the growing popularity came the real taste of the industry.
“The industry teaches you patience. You might shoot a song with your full heart, but it’ll sit in someone’s Google Drive for months. Payments are delayed, credit is denied, and sometimes your name doesn’t even make it to the YouTube description.”
He laughs while sharing an incident where he edited a music video overnight while sick with fever, only to be told later that “the client wanted a different vibe.”
Still, Gurpreet never let the negatives overpower his love for the craft. “You learn to balance your creativity with professionalism. That’s where growth happens — not just as a director but as a human being.”
Finding a Voice in Short Films
While music videos brought him recognition, Gurpreet always felt he had more to say — longer stories, deeper emotions, characters who breathe. That’s when he ventured into short films. His debut short, “Toar Parahuneya Di,” was released under his self-owned YouTube channel, Mittran Da Tashan.
The short film, which deals with rural youth identity and class pride, was a breakthrough moment. It proved that Gurpreet wasn’t just a music video director — he was a storyteller. The project was shot on a modest budget with friends and local actors, but the authenticity resonated with viewers.
“It was the first time I felt like a filmmaker. I wasn’t just capturing shots; I was capturing feelings.”
Building a Brand, One Frame at a Time
Today, Mittran Da Tashan is not just a YouTube channel. It’s a creative hub, a digital platform that Gurpreet uses to release music videos, short films, and experimental content. More importantly, it gives a space to new talent — singers, writers, actors — who don’t have the means or the network to break into the industry.
“I know what it feels like to be invisible. That’s why I try to give at least one opportunity a month to someone who’s never been on camera or behind it.”
His team remains small, his sets often minimal, but the impact is growing. Gurpreet believes that the Punjabi industry is slowly evolving, and creators must evolve with it — focusing on content that’s both rooted and relatable.
Where to Next?
At 27, Gurpreet Singh is far from done. He is currently working on a mini web series based on the lives of small-town students trying to survive in a big city. “It’s part comedy, part reality — a story that needs to be told.”
He also plans to direct his first full-length feature film in the next two years. “I don’t want to rush. I want it to be something people remember, not just watch.”
When asked what keeps him grounded, Gurpreet smiles, “Every time I press ‘record,’ I remember where I started. That’s enough.”
Gurpreet Singh’s story is not just about becoming a director.
It’s about daring to dream without a blueprint, building a name without a surname, and turning struggle into storytelling.
From the narrow lanes of Amritsar to the creative corridors of Chandigarh, his journey is a reminder to every young artist — you don’t need a godfather if you have guts, grind, and a great story to tell.
