Book Review: Gangs Of Punjab Explores Crime, Power And Pop Culture

Jupinderjit Singh’s Gangs of Punjab: Guns, Greed, and Girlfriends is a hard-hitting investigative journey into the dark heart of Punjab’s organised crime syndicates

Building on his earlier bestseller Who Killed Moosewala?, the award-winning journalist peels back layers of glamour, violence, and betrayal that define the state’s gangster culture.

Far from a simple chronicle of crimes, the book examines how local thugs have evolved into sophisticated international cartels, fueled by drugs, politics, social media, and an insatiable appetite for power.

The cover itself—featuring a stark white pistol silhouette against a vibrant purple-pink backdrop—sets a tone of stark contrast between style and substance.

The title’s focus on ‘Guns, Greed, and Girlfriends’ captures the book’s central thesis: crime in Punjab is not just about bullets; it is deeply intertwined with aspiration, masculinity, wealth display, and complex gender dynamics.

Singh traces the rise of notorious figures who blur the lines between outlaws and icons. He shows how Punjabi pop culture often celebrates them through flashy music videos and social media hype.

The book examines how such portrayals contribute to their larger-than-life image.

At its core, the narrative explores how village boys armed with guns transform into larger-than-life gangsters.

High-profile cases, including the killing of Sidhu Moosewala, attacks linked to figures like Gippy Grewal, and threats to Bollywood star Salman Khan, feature prominently in the book. Singh shows how criminal networks use violence as a tool for messaging and revenge. He also examines how gangs deploy such acts to signal power and dominance.

Singh connects the dots among organised crime, the drug trade, political patronage and the entertainment industry. He also examines the role of diaspora networks operating from abroad. Together, these links reveal the complex ecosystem sustaining Punjab’s gangster culture.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its portrayal of women’s roles in the gangster ecosystem. Singh presents them not merely as victims, but also as pawns and supporters. In some cases, he shows how women act as facilitators in turf wars.

Through personal stories and jailbreak accounts, including the dramatic Nabha Jail escape, Singh humanises the gangsters. He also exposes the fragility of their criminal empires.

The book shows how betrayal and fleeting loyalty often undermine these networks.

The cat-and-mouse game with the Punjab Police adds layers of tension, revealing systemic challenges in countering a mutating criminal ecosystem.

Singh’s strength lies in treating organised crime as a socio-cultural phenomenon rather than isolated incidents. He analyses how Punjabi pop culture glorifies the gun-toting lifestyle, turning criminals into celebrities and perpetuating a cycle that destroys communities.

The 224-page book offers rare insights into policing strategies. It also examines intelligence operations.

The book highlights the human cost of organised crime, including broken families, endless cycles of revenge and shattered dreams.

For true crime enthusiasts and those interested in contemporary North Indian society, Gangs of Punjab is essential reading. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths: how a land of resilience and vibrant culture became fertile ground for gangsterism.

Singh doesn’t just report; he compels reflection on the image of power versus its brutal reality. In an era where crime and entertainment increasingly overlap, this book stands as a sobering wake-up call.

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