Singer-turned-actor Sarbjit Cheema talks about his rise to fame and his upcoming movie Punjab Bolda
He was a genius in sports, a natural born to be precise; but destiny routed his path out to the wider world and this multifaceted star gracefully carved a bright career with several shades altogether. He may have never imagined but today this celebrity stands as one of the brightest stars in the Punjabi music industry. Sarbjit Cheema’s excelling music career has delivered all-time musical hits to the industry along with showcasing his acting skills. His extensive career has rendered voice to all-time hit albums like Rang and Chandigarh Shehar Di Kudi.
Cheema was born in Jalandhar, India, in a village called Cheema Kalan, and moved to Canada in 1989. As Cheema came to Canada, he brought with him an impressive career in two sports – field hockey and kabaddi (a popular wrestling sport in India), and the honour of being a “professional Bhangra dancer at university level.” However, as he shed those roles behind, Cheema was introduced to singing during his initial six-year stay in Canada, where he engrossed himself in learning singing for four years.
“I had the maturity of singing since a very young age but I had never imagined becoming a professional singer until I finished college.” He goes on to say “It was here in Canada that I started learning singing and released my first album in 1993,” and from this time, he regularly released albums almost every year. This modest star delineates his journey describing his rise to fame. While Cheema was in Canada, he was learning singing and also making efforts to settle in a foreign land along with his family. He worked as a courier truck driver, taxi driver, acquired a driving instructor’s license and determinedly engaged in various types of jobs.
“I was doing all this while learning music and didn’t know if I would be successful in the industry,” says Cheema. “So I had to have another source of income for my family.” Cheema further adds, “Even after releasing two albums, I was driving a taxi.”
With a multitudinous and extravagant career at hand, Cheema’s name is highly appreciated for his upfront honesty and humbleness. After all the experience and the height of popularity he holds today, Cheema assertively promulgates the initial response of his early albums. “My first album was not successful; second album was not successful,” says Cheema.
His first two albums accumulated unsatisfying results but Cheema’s conviction and ardor landed him several live stage shows. At the start of his career, Cheema “was doing over 25 stage shows every month, without any hit songs.” Continuing from there, he released a string of never-ending hit songs like Rang Rara Riri Rara, Paisa and many others.
Cheema has secured an integral place in the Punjabi entertainment industry and is one of the most celebrated singers of his era. He proudly states, “I am proud to be part of this industry that has grown so much. The prospects of filmmaking in this industry are great now.”
His first movie Pind Di Kudi was released in 2005, but this talented star had first received a film offer in 1995, which he declined because he “wasn’t sure if it was the right time.” Advancing from his first movie, this singer-turned-actor has starred in several movies and is excitedly geared to once again entertain his fans with his latest movie Punjab Bolda starring Cheema as the protagonist with other actors such as Anisha Pooja and Binnu Dhillon. Cheema has also given his voice to the amazing songs in the movie. The movie is directed by Ravinder Peepat and produced by Madhu Entertainment- Pix Ray Entertainment-Parteek Entertainers.
This renowned singer is highly praised for his down-to-earth and humble persona. “I am what I am and I never hide anything about myself.” Cheema says no matter where you reside and where you are from, you should strive to keep your culture “alive within you.”
For the future, Cheema envisions establishing a fine academy in Canada that advances the Punjabi language, dance, culture and tradition in Punjabi families and assists them in keeping the rich Punjabi culture up-close in a foreign land. “I want to keep the culture alive and therefore want to open a full-fledged academy that contributes in keeping our tradition and culture here alive.”
By Garima Goswami
