Punjabi singer and actor Gippy Grewal’s journey to success was marked by financial hardship, professional setbacks and years of perseverance before he emerged as one of the most recognizable figures in the Punjabi entertainment industry.

Known for lending his vocals to the hit track Angreji Beat alongside rapper and music producer , Grewal has built a career spanning music, cinema and film production. Today, he stands among the industry’s leading entertainers and is preparing for the release of , directed by and featuring and in key roles.

Ahead of the film’s release on June 26, Grewal reflected on the struggles that preceded his success during a recent interview with Bharti TV.

Born into a farming family in Punjab, Grewal said his initial attempts to establish himself in music were met with disappointment. To finance his first album, he borrowed money, hoping the project would provide a pathway into the industry. The album failed to gain traction, leaving him with debt and uncertainty about his future.

His second album also struggled commercially, further compounding financial pressures. Despite the setbacks, Grewal remained determined to continue pursuing a career in music, even as economic realities forced him to seek employment abroad.

Like many Punjabis aspiring for better opportunities, he moved to Canada, where he undertook a series of low-paying jobs while attempting to keep his musical ambitions alive. During this period, he worked as a security guard, cleaned food trays in shopping malls and performed sanitation work, including cleaning toilets.

The actor recalled that life in Canada was far from glamorous. Earnings were modest and daily survival often took precedence over artistic aspirations. According to Grewal, the challenges were not his alone. His wife also worked multiple jobs to help support the household while he continued trying to establish himself in the music industry.

The financial burden became especially difficult because of the loans taken to fund his early recordings. With two unsuccessful albums behind him and no guarantee of future success, the prospect of building a sustainable career in entertainment appeared increasingly uncertain.

However, Grewal continued producing music despite repeated setbacks. His persistence eventually began to yield results as audiences started responding positively to his work. Industry recognition followed, creating opportunities that had previously been out of reach.

A major turning point came with the success of Angreji Beat, a song that became one of the defining Punjabi music tracks of its era. While Honey Singh’s rap verses and production attracted widespread attention, Grewal’s lead vocals played a central role in the song’s popularity. The track significantly expanded his audience and elevated his profile within the industry.

The success of his music career opened the door to acting opportunities. Grewal gradually transitioned into films, establishing himself as both a leading actor and producer. Over the years, he built a diverse portfolio that includes commercially successful movies, music releases and production ventures.

The Carry On Jatta franchise, in particular, has become one of Punjabi cinema’s most successful comedy series. The upcoming fourth installment represents another milestone in a career that has evolved from uncertain beginnings into sustained commercial success.

Industry observers often cite Grewal’s story as an example of the challenges faced by aspiring artists attempting to enter competitive entertainment sectors without established financial backing. His experience highlights the economic risks associated with independent music production and the sacrifices often required before commercial success is achieved.

According to estimates cited in media reports, Grewal’s net worth is now believed to be around ₹150 crore, a dramatic transformation from the period when he relied on multiple jobs in Canada to make ends meet.

His journey from a struggling migrant worker performing manual labor to a leading figure in Punjabi entertainment underscores the unpredictable nature of the entertainment business, where years of setbacks can sometimes precede a single breakthrough capable of changing the course of a career.

Singh, 42, who led the Glory and Wisdom Church in Tajpur (Jalandhar) and Majri (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar), was found guilty under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with repeated rape of the same victim. The Mohali Additional Sessions Court sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life.

Bajinder Singh rose to prominence over a decade ago, drawing thousands to his “miracle services,” where he claimed to heal ailments and solve life problems. However, his ministry has been fraught with controversies, including allegations of fraud and sexual misconduct.

His conviction stems from a 2018 case, in which a woman accused him of raping her multiple times, filming obscene videos, and demanding money under threats of exposure. She alleged that Singh first contacted her in September 2017 and sexually assaulted her repeatedly.

The police registered an FIR in April 2018 under various sections of the IPC, including rape, criminal intimidation, and causing hurt. While the court convicted Singh last week, five other co-accused were acquitted in the case.

This is not the first time Singh has faced legal trouble. In 2022, a Delhi-based family accused him of fraud, alleging he took money to “miraculously heal” their ill daughter, who later passed away. Most recently, on February 28, 2025, the Punjab police in Kapurthala registered another case against him for sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation based on a complaint by a 21-year-old woman who had volunteered at his ministry for six years.

Singh is one of several controversial self-proclaimed religious figures in India’s Christian community, particularly in Punjab, where ‘Christian deras’ (religious sects) have proliferated in recent years. His sentencing has reignited debates over fraudulent faith healers and religious leaders exploiting their followers.

With this landmark conviction, legal experts and social activists are calling for stricter scrutiny of self-styled preachers to prevent future exploitation of vulnerable devotees.