In the heart of Toronto’s Little India, Chandan Fashion—the iconic family-run bridal shop shines in Netflix’s hit docuseries ‘Bollywed’. The show offers an intimate look into the Singh family’s world, featuring Kuki, the protective patriarch; Sarab, the visionary matriarch; son Chandan, the strategic mind and muscle behind the series’ success; Roop, the daughter-in-law and troubleshooter keeping everything in line; and sister Chandni, the peacekeeper and mediator balancing it all. DARPAN had the opportunity to catch up with Chandni herself, who shared her journey and what it’s really like to navigate the chaos of family, business, and the excitement surrounding South Asian weddings.
Q: Your family business is now the focus of a Netflix series. How does it feel to see your story and heritage celebrated on such a global platform? Did you ever imagine that the Singh family would someday emerge as one of the most loved immigrant stories on OTT?
A: Our TV show, Bollywed, was actually seven years in the making before it was picked up by CBC, and I think it’s the perfect network for us. CBC celebrates diversity and inclusion, showing South Asian culture without a filter. Our parents speak Punjabi on screen, celebrate Diwali, and do their prayers without any translation. It’s just organic!
The journey wasn’t easy, with all the rejections over the years. But when the show was finally picked up, it was the perfect time. I believe the show was ahead of its time, as the love for Bollywood and Indian culture is so much greater now than it was a decade ago. My brother always said it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ the show would get picked up, but ‘when’. And when it did, the response was amazing.
With Netflix being a global platform, the second wave of attention has been overwhelming. We now have customers coming in on weekends, excited to meet the family and see the store in person. It’s been an amazing privilege and blessing to represent a South Asian family, especially a Punjabi Sikh family, on such a large scale. My parents were pioneers of the Girard India Bazaar 40 years ago, and we’ve always been part of the community. The show just expanded that family even more.
Q: Bollywed captures both the glamour of Indian bridal fashion and the realities of running a family business. What have been some of the most rewarding and most challenging moments so far?
A: With any family business, there are always ups and downs. Chandan and I grew up in the business, and it’s been a privilege to take it to the next level. But with growth comes challenges. The show captures the generational differences in ideas, and while we may disagree, it’s always with laughter. Our parents taught us that there’s a solution to every problem.
One major challenge was expanding our business. We’ve always wanted to open a second location, but there was hesitation about how it would impact both the business and our family dynamics. In season one, you’ll see us grappling with that decision. On the rewarding side, creating our couture line and hosting our fashion show have been dream moments for us. It’s been exciting to see everything come to life. And I love that the show captures all this so organically — it’s a true reflection of our journey.
Q: Your journey to get Bollywed made was not easy, with several rejections before CBC picked it up. What kept you motivated to tell your story despite the setbacks?
A: We had several rejections, but each one pushed us to work harder because we were confident in what we had to offer. Our story is relatable; the classic immigrant experience, the second generation growing the business, and the challenges we face. People, not just from the Indian culture but also from Asian, Portuguese, Italian, and Greek backgrounds, resonated with it. Our story is about representing a South Asian family, and even more so, a Punjabi Sikh family proudly wearing turbans. It’s about normalizing our presence, celebrating who we are, and showing that Punjabis can achieve great things in a positive light, especially for future generations.
Q: What are the little things you do at home or at work to keep your cultural identity alive in everyday life?
A: We are a proud Desi family, deeply connected to our roots. Whether it's at home or at the store, we're always engaging with our South Asian and Punjabi culture. We go to the Gurdwara, give back, and make sure we're educating our children about Indian and Sikh history. Mom and Dad started the tradition of morning prayers, and Chandan and I continue this at both our store and at home.
Q: With so many strong personalities under one roof, what’s your secret to resolving disagreements? Is there a family rule, ritual, or running joke that always helps?
A: I love that you've said so many strong personalities under one roof, because that's exactly what we are. We're such strong, confident individuals, and we all hold our opinions. So, we definitely have differences of opinion or moments, but I think the credit goes to my mom and dad, who have always been leading by example and making sure that there's always unity and harmony within our family.
Bollywed gives us an authentic glimpse into the Singh family’s hustle, passion, and heritage. With a perfect blend of tradition and modern-day business, they prove that the most beautiful things are built with love, laughter, and a lot of family spirit.
