Jassa Ahluwalia is a multifaceted individual who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a British actor, writer, filmmaker, and trade unionist. Born in Coventry in 1990 to a white English mother and a brown Punjabi father, Jassa's early life was shaped by his multicultural heritage.
Growing up in Leicester, Jassa was part of an extended family environment where he was exposed to various languages and cultures. He spoke English in playground the, Punjabi with his grandparents, and spent his summer holidays in India, which further deepened his connection to his roots.
Jassa's acting career took off when he played the role of Rocky in the hit BBC Three series Some Girls, followed by starring roles in Unforgotten, Ripper Street, and Peaky Blinders.
In addition to his acting pursuits, Jassa is also a passionate advocate for mixed identity and has created the hashtag #BothNotHalf to explore this topic. His TEDx talk on 'How Language Shapes Identity' has gained widespread recognition, with over 200,000 views.
Jassa has also ventured into documentary filmmaking, and his BBC One documentary Am I English? won an Asian Media Award in 2022.
In May 2024, Jassa published his first book, Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity, which is a testament to his dedication to promoting greater understanding and acceptance of mixed heritage identity.
