New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Runway

From New York to Mumbai: Sikh Actor Harbinder Singh’s Journey from Short Films to Bollywood Red Carpet

When Harbinder Singh, a Sikh actor and model from New York, landed in Mumbai for the premiere of Love in Vietnam, he felt a mix of disbelief, pride, and gratitude. Cameras flashed and Bollywood stars posed around him, but for Singh, this wasn’t just a red carpet moment — it was the culmination of a journey that carried the weight of representation for an entire community.

“Walking through those doors in Mumbai, I felt something I had never felt before,” Singh recalls. “It wasn’t just about me. It was about every Sikh and South Asian who has ever been told they don’t belong, every young person who wondered if their face, their turban, their culture would ever be seen or valued. In that moment, I felt like we were all standing there together.”

Singh’s path to Mumbai began when director Rahhat Shah Kazmi saw his short film Manpreet. Captivated by Singh’s storytelling and vision, Kazmi invited him to collaborate on his upcoming Bollywood feature. This collaboration led to months of work that eventually took Singh to the lush landscapes of Vietnam for the shoot, and finally, to the glittering lights of Mumbai’s red carpet.

“When Rahhat asked me to join him, I remember thinking: this is incredible. I had made short films in New York and worked hard in fashion, but now the universe was opening a door I hadn’t dared to imagine. To be a Sikh actor from the U.S., landing on a Bollywood set — it was surreal.”

A Moment for the Community

For Singh, stepping onto the Mumbai red carpet was more than a personal achievement. It was a milestone for Sikh representation, and for everyone who has faced invisibility in media and entertainment.

“I felt a wave of emotion thinking about the generations before me who didn’t see themselves reflected on screen, who weren’t given the chance to tell their stories. And to be here, in Mumbai, with my turban and beard, fully myself, felt like a victory not just for me, but for all of us,” he says. “I hope people reading this can feel it too — that sometimes dreams you think are impossible really can happen.”

The moment was emotional not only for Singh, but for those following his journey. His story embodies the idea that talent and perseverance can bridge continents, cultures, and industries, and that barriers — whether geographic, cultural, or societal — can be broken with courage.

Breaking Barriers in Fashion

Before arriving in Mumbai, Singh had already been breaking barriers in New York. As one of the few Sikh models featured regularly in campaigns, he walked at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and appeared in multiple print ad campaigns across the city. But his journey was far from smooth.

“There were casting calls where I wasn’t even considered because of my turban or beard,” Singh recalls. “Some suggested I remove it to ‘fit in.’ But my identity isn’t negotiable. Embracing who I am became my strength — and it’s what allowed me to land opportunities in both fashion and film.”

By refusing to compromise his identity, Singh carved a space for himself in modeling and acting, paving the way for others while proving that authenticity resonates universally.

Transitioning to Film

While fashion gave him visibility, film offered Singh a platform to tell stories that reflected the depth and complexity of South Asian life. His short film Manpreet was an early expression of this vision — a story that blended humor, culture, and heart, which ultimately caught the attention of Kazmi and led to Love in Vietnam.

The Bollywood feature, adapted from the acclaimed Turkish novel Madonna in a Fur Coat, explores love, destiny, and cross-cultural connections. The Vietnam shoot, followed by the Mumbai premiere, symbolized the first major milestone in Singh’s journey from independent short films to global cinema.

“Standing on that red carpet, after months of shooting in Vietnam, I felt the weight of every challenge I’d faced early in my career,” Singh says. “But it was also a moment of joy, proof that barriers can be broken, and that our stories belong on stages around the world.”

Building a Platform for South Asian Stories

Singh is not stopping there. Through his banner, Kahani Road Productions, he is developing projects such as Perfectly Seasoned and The Fifth K, films that highlight South Asian life with authenticity, humor, and heart. Singh emphasizes that his mission is to portray Sikh and South Asian characters as full, nuanced humans, rather than stereotypes.

“Representation is more than checking a box,” he says. “It’s about creating stories that inspire, challenge, and resonate — stories that let young people see themselves and their cultures reflected in ways they deserve.”

Inspiring the Diaspora

Singh’s journey resonates deeply with the Sikh and broader South Asian diaspora. From New York runways to Vietnam film sets, culminating in his Mumbai red carpet moment, his path demonstrates that resilience and authenticity can open doors that once seemed unimaginable.

“Every time a young Sikh sees me in a campaign or on a red carpet, I want them to feel pride,” Singh says. “If my story can inspire one person to pursue their dream without giving up who they are, then it’s worth it.”

Looking Ahead

With projects in development and growing international recognition, Singh is poised for even greater impact. Invitations for interviews, podcasts, and media appearances are already arriving, signaling that audiences want to hear his story in his own words.

“This is just the beginning,” Singh says. “From New York to Vietnam to Mumbai, I’ve seen how storytelling can connect cultures, uplift communities, and break barriers. And I want to keep doing it — for everyone who’s ever been told they don’t belong.”

From New York fashion runways to Vietnam shoots to Mumbai’s red carpet, Harbinder Singh’s story is one of courage, authenticity, and representation. His journey reminds us all that barriers can be broken, dreams can be realized, and that seeing yourself reflected on a global stage is something to be proud of — not just for the individual, but for an entire community.