Jasmine Sandlas recalls her father’s fall from top job in India to struggling in the US: ‘He was a law school valedictorian’

Singer Jasmine Sandlas recently reflected on her family’s tough transition after relocating from India to the United States, opening up about her father’s sacrifices and their struggles in the initial years. The 'Dhurandhar' singer shared how their lives took a drastic turn after the move. Even though her father held a well-respected job in India, he had to rebuild everything from the ground up in the US to support his family.In a conversation with Mid-day, Jasmine Sandlas recalled her father’s journey, saying, “When we used to live in India, my father had a high-profile job… he was a law school valedictorian”. After moving to the US, survival became the top priority over status. She shared that her father had to take up manual work at a gas station. “His first job was at a gas station, pumping gas… he sacrificed his entire life,” she said, underlining how he gave up a life of comfort and respect to secure a better future for his children.Jasmine spoke about the tough and modest conditions they lived in during those early years. “We used to live in a one-bedroom apartment… we were six people,” she said, adding that they relied on food stamps for their daily needs. The experience left a strong impact on her, especially as she tried to settle into a new country without knowing English. She also opened up about her mother’s role, sharing that both her parents worked relentlessly to support the household. “My mom also worked… like a majdoor (laborer) level work,” she added, highlighting the hardships they faced both physically and emotionally.Even after years of struggle, her father was able to rebuild his professional life. He eventually became a legal interpreter, translating Punjabi to English in court, which provided the family with greater financial stability. Sandlas also briefly worked in the same field. Looking back, she credited her parents’ sacrifices for shaping her journey and career. Their perseverance not only carried the family through difficult times but also set the stage for her rise in the music industry.