AP Dhillon Recounts Harsh Early Days in Canada on Kapil Sharma's Show
The latest installment of The Great Indian Kapil Show season 4 welcomed international music sensation AP Dhillon and comedian Anubhav Bassi as special guests. During the candid conversation, the Punjabi-Canadian artist provided a raw and emotional glimpse into his challenging beginnings, particularly his difficult arrival and early survival in Canada.
A Cold Welcome: Sleeping on the Streets Without a Credit Card
Host Kapil Sharma prompted the discussion by asking Dhillon about the most difficult period of his life. The 33-year-old singer-rapper did not hesitate to share his traumatic initial experience in Canada. "The toughest moment for me was when I first landed in Canada. I had no place to stay," Dhillon revealed. "My dad gave me some money, but I was never born with a silver spoon. So, I didn’t have a credit card at that time."
He described attempting to check into a hotel with cash, only to be turned away due to the lack of a credit card for security. "I went to a hotel and said, ‘I’d like to stay here, and I had this much cash.’ They asked me for a credit card, and I asked ‘what’s that?’ They refused to give me a room," Dhillon recounted. With severe jet lag from a flight booked with five stopovers by his agent, he had no choice but to sleep outside the hotel. "So, I stepped outside and slept in front of the hotel," he said.
Unexpected Rescue by an Indian Couple from Calgary
After spending a first night on the streets, Dhillon's situation took a turn on the second night when an observant Indian woman approached him. "The second night when I was on the streets, an Indian girl came to me and said I didn’t look homeless and asked, ‘Why are you sleeping outside?’" he shared. After explaining his credit card predicament, the woman enlisted her boyfriend's help.
"She went to her boyfriend and asked him to give his credit card. He came to me and said, ‘Brother please don’t steal or break anything, or they’ll charge me.’ I said, ‘No chance, bro.’ That couple was from Calgary," Dhillon expressed with gratitude. This act of kindness finally provided him shelter during those critical early days.
Grinding Through Odd Jobs to Pursue Musical Dreams
Dhillon emphasized his relentless work ethic during his college years, taking on multiple jobs to survive and eventually obtain a credit card. "I always kept working hard. When college began, and I started working, I slowly managed to get a credit card," he stated. His employment history included:
- Working at gas stations
- Employment at convenience stores
- A final job at Best Buy electronics retailer
"I used to work for 10-12 hours and then go to college. I had to manage my rent, food, and everything else," Dhillon explained, highlighting the demanding schedule he maintained to support himself.
Building a Music Studio in a Garage with Plywood
Despite financial constraints, Dhillon demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in pursuing his passion for music. Renting a room in a house with a small garage, he created his own dedicated practice space. "The house I lived in had a small garage, big enough to park one car. I rented a room there," he described.
"I saved some money, went to Home Depot, and made a 10-by-6 room with plywood and added a door. Slowly, I started buying equipment and learned the craft. I never gave up," Dhillon affirmed, illustrating his determination to develop his musical skills despite limited resources.
From Street Survival to Stardom and Substantial Wealth
The Canadian singer-rapper's perseverance has yielded extraordinary results. Having endured those difficult early days, Dhillon now reportedly commands a net worth of approximately Rs 83 crore. He enjoys massive popularity on digital platforms, particularly YouTube, where his songs consistently accumulate millions of views, cementing his status as a global music icon.
This episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show not only entertained audiences but also provided profound insight into the resilience and hard work behind AP Dhillon's remarkable success story.
