Singer Jasmine Sandlas is receiving widespread acclaim for her songs in 'Dhurandhar' and 'Dhurandhar 2', particularly 'Jaiye Sajna'. However, her path to fame and success has been fraught with challenges. Jasmine has spoken candidly about her early family life and her struggle with alcoholism. Born in Jalandhar and later relocating to California with her family, she recently opened up about the hardships that defined her long before stardom arrived.
A Difficult Transition to America
Jasmine recalled moving to the United States when she was in the 8th or 9th grade. While her father had a respected legal career in Punjab, life changed drastically after the move. “We landed in New York. I didn’t speak English. Whatever was the local school, my father got us admitted there. We used to live in a one-bedroom apartment which was a low-income home, and we were 6 people,” she shared on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast. The transition was especially tough for her parents. Her father, who had topped law school and held a prestigious position in India, started over by working at a gas station in America. Her mother, a former teacher, took up factory jobs and even picked cherries to support the family. Jasmine revealed that they relied on food stamps to survive during those years.
Her Father's Sacrifices
Remembering her father’s sacrifices, she said, “I remember sitting with him in the snow and he had no shoes on. When I asked him, he told me that snowshoes are very expensive. He sacrificed his whole life for us. He left a high-paying, well-respected job in India to give me and my siblings a better life.” Things gradually stabilized after the family moved to California, where her father eventually found work as an interpreter within the legal system.
Emotional Turmoil in Teenage Years
Jasmine admitted that her teenage years in America were emotionally overwhelming. “From age 13 to like 18, I had no idea what was happening in my life. So much was going on. We were struggling in more ways than one,” she said. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and financial reality while living in cramped conditions took a toll on the entire family. According to Jasmine, it took nearly five to six years before they finally felt settled. Amid the chaos, music became her only escape. “At 12, 13, I used to sing shabads at the gurudwara. At that time, there was no music in my life; the only time I could sing was shabads at the gurudwara,” she recalled.
Family Pressure and Parental Concerns
The singer also reflected on the emotional strain immigrant families often endure. She explained that her parents were carrying enormous pressure, which naturally affected the children as well. “Parents are not emotionally regulated. It is a lot for them too, but it is really a lot for children growing up in that. We were just kids. We needed guidance, protection, and nourishment,” she said. Despite her passion for singing, Jasmine revealed that her parents were initially unconvinced about music as a profession. While her mother saw it as a hobby, her father believed it could never become a stable career path. “I asked my parents to give me six months. If I make it, good — otherwise I will quit. I didn’t make it that time. I didn’t quit either,” she said.
Breakthrough and Personal Loss
In 2014, Yaar Na Miley from the film Kick turned Jasmine Sandlas into a widely recognized name across the country. The chartbuster, co-written with Yo Yo Honey Singh, became one of the year’s biggest Bollywood songs and marked a major breakthrough in her career. But just as success arrived, Jasmine suffered a devastating personal loss — the death of her father. Reflecting on that period, Jasmine shared how difficult it was to process fame and grief simultaneously. “Yaar Na Miley was the biggest hit at the time, and I lost my dad. My whole family fell apart. We could never find an anchor again,” she said. Describing the role her father played in the family, she added, “My father was a silent type, a good righteous man. He was the anchor. When he left, we all scattered. We are still trying to gather the pieces. It’s been more than ten years. I miss him. I want to celebrate success with him.”
Struggle with Alcoholism
The emotional impact of losing him, coupled with sudden stardom and shifting family dynamics, pushed Jasmine into a turbulent phase of her life. She candidly admitted that she struggled with alcohol during those years. “A lot of things piled up — I was famous, I was feeling certain things, my family broke apart, my father was no more. I drank more than I should have, and I regret it — but it was important for me at that time,” she said. Jasmine also revealed that her complicated relationship with alcohol stemmed from her childhood experiences. Growing up around a father who drank shaped the way she viewed it for years. “There are two things that happen when you have a father who drinks — either you become one, or you say I can’t ever do this. So I did both.”
