CHANDIGARH: "Your love makes spring of the world," sang controversial preacher Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan in his musical album 'Highway Love Charger' released in May 2014. Less than a year later, he would release his first movie 'MSG: The Messenger of God', solidifying his image of 'Rock Star Baba'. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, who became the head of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda in 1990, is among the most "multi-talented" spiritual leaders in the country. Saint/Philanthropist/Versatile Singer/Allrounder Sportsperson/Film Director/Actor/Art Director/Music Director/ Writer/Lyricist... goes the list in the bio on his verified twitter handle. His dera is just as diversified and spread out, controlling assets worth crores. The real strength of the dera, however, is its lakhs of followers, who are standing behind the 50-year-old preacher, despite criminal charges like rape and murder against him. He has been described by his followers as social reformer, religious teacher, engineer, agriculturist and author. Born in Gurusar Modia, a small village of Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, in a simple family, he apparently likes being addressed as "his holiness" and his family "the royal family". The transformation has not been gradual. Claiming to have supernatural abilities from childhood, he was known as Meeta in his youth. When he first took over the dera, the preacher used to dress up in a simple white kurta-pajama. But he reinvented himself into what many call the 'Guru of Bling' with garish costumes, elaborate headgears and jewellery galore. His wardrobe has been called a mix between costumes from B R Chopra's Mahabharat and that of an eccentric rock star. The baba, who is fond of luxuries like custom-made cars and jets, all claimed to be designed by him, not only has ashrams running into hundreds of acres across the globe but is also believed to have earned hundreds of crores from the movies he has made in which he plays a hero with almost Superman-like qualities. He has produced five movies so far 'MSG' being the most popular. Gurmeet is also among the very few 'VVIPs' in the country who enjoy Z-Plus security.

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'Love Charger Baba' brought bling to spirituality - Times of India