Direct flight from Punjab to Canada

Jasmine Singh 

As per recent reports, almost 1.5 lakh students from Punjab are going abroad for studies, out of which almost 90 per cent will decide to amalgamate in the system there. This can be seen as a possible case of brain drain in the near future, but did you know that this isn’t the only talent pool that we are losing, with almost 80 per cent of Punjabi artistes (singers, actors) shifting base to either Canada and Australia, one can see a possible drain of Punjabi talent too. After Punjabi singer-actors Amrinder Gill, Harbhajan Mann, Sarbjit Cheema, many Punjabi singers and actors have moved to foreign shores for good.  

This couldn’t just be the case of finding better career opportunities, for they have been doing pretty well in Punjab, so what is it that has propelled them to take the step. Family or personal reasons, we try to find out. 

For a better life 

In the recent years, singer-actors Roshan Prince, Jassie Gill, Rana Ranbir, Harish Verma, Money Aujla have moved off to foreign shores with families for good. Actor Roshan Prince calls it a family decision and hence something decided by the entire family together. “There comes a time in life when you have to take a balanced step for your career as well as life in general. I think everyone will agree that staying in India and abroad both has its own perks and drawbacks, but I think I have taken a wise decision in moving to Canada,” the singer obviously doesn’t want to reveal much. 

Interestingly, and pretty recently many Punjabi singer-actors like Happy Raikoti, Dilpreet Dhillon have married pretty NRI girls which makes staying abroad an obvious choice. But what about artistes who have given their time and energy to Punjab, and in the later stage of their career decide to pack bags and set out for a new journey abroad? 

Or for a better career 

Punjabi artistes have a huge fan base abroad and they travel abroad almost 9 out of twelve months, for live shows as well as film shoots. This is also the time when they scout for better prospects, “let’s admit who doesn’t want a good and healthy lifestyle? This is just one reason which is making Punjabi artistes move overseas. Besides this since they have a huge and growing fan base abroad, it makes so much sense to settle down there. One, it is good for their careers and two, for their families as well,” shares music director Davvy Singh. 

Moving & how 

Whether it is by the way of finding an NRI match or investing money in a business abroad, artistes moving abroad have had no complaints about their decisions. Even though they do not gel with the Diaspora artistes much, they have their own dedicated fans and friends who are more than welcoming. “The move from Punjab to Canada is the dream for so many, so to sell that vision is massive, and to do it via songs is the key, the artiste will tour more and make more money in India, but living that “western life” is a vision that sells. Artistes want Punjab’s money and fame, and it is made easier when they are a non-resident, as they are deemed just another artiste from Punjab,” shares J- Skillz, music producer, Midlands.

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