Punjabi actor and activist, Deep Sidhu died in a motorway crash on Tuesday, according to police officials in India.
Deep Sidhu’s car collided with the rear end of a truck in the northern state of Haryana on a motorway and died at the scene, reports confirm.
The actor, 37, was travelling along Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway – which bypasses Delhi – when the accident occurred.
Sidhu was traveling with his girlfriend, Reena Rai, who survived the accident.
A video from the scene showed a white Mahindra Scorpio that Sidhu was driving when it smashed into the rear of a trailer truck on Tuesday (15 February) evening.
Sidhu began his career as a model in India before landing his debut role in Ramta Jogi in 2015. Deep gained further recognition in 2017 for his role as a gangster in Jora 10 Numbaria, as well as his portrayal of SP Karamveer Singh in crime drama, Rang Punjab in 2018.
He was also a vocal supporter of India’s farmer’s protests — which saw tens of thousands of farmers camp for months on the outskirts of the capital, Delhi. They were protesting three contentious agriculture laws implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in September 2020 — in which the farmers said could ruin their livelihood.
Modi then repealed the laws in November last year.
Sidhu’s role in the farmer’s movement was impugned last year after he was accused of instigating violence during a Republic Day rally on January 26, 2021.
Following his arrest one month later in February 2021 he was held in jail for two months before being granted bail.
In a tribute message, the chief minister of Punjab Charanjit S Channi said: “Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of renowned actor and social activist Deep Sidhu.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and fans.”
An investigation into the cause of the collision is underway.
