How Nav Bhatia became a Canadian super success story: Toasting an Indo-Canadian on Canada Day

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News East-West

TORONTO: In a way, Canada Day on July 1 is what August 15 is to India. It is time for celebrations. And it is time for toasting success and success stories.

We, in the Toronto area, know a very successful turbaned face that often pops up in ads in major papers. With his index finger raised, this gentleman announces himself to be the officially anointed Super Fan of the city-based NBA team Toronto Raptors.

DON’T MISS: How Nav Bhatia became a superfan

It is none other than Nav Bhatia, the top Indian-born car dealer here.

Nav Bhatia in a city bus ad
Nav Bhatia in a city bus ad

In fact, he is among the biggest dealers in Ontario province and among the top four-five in Canada.

“I am proud to say that we are also among the top three or four service providers in Canada…we are known for commitment and client allegiance,’’ says Bhatia sitting in his busy Mississauga Hyundai Superstore.

Meet the Super Fan
Super Man, Super Fan

Indeed, this 60-year-old Sikh, who came to Canada from India in 1984 with a few dollars, is known  among Indo-Canadian and mainstream communities for his steadfast commitment to clients and friends.

Among his friends are celebrities, leaders and big basketball players of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

“People come first for me. I value associations and friendships and that is the reason I am successful. I have known former BlackBerry co-CEO Jim Balsillie for years. We are great friends. This boy Peter Russell who is top Canadian comedian-actor is very close to me,’’ he says, pointing to a photo of Indo-Canadian comedian Peter Russell on his office wall.

Nav Bhatia
Nav Bhatia

Then he explains how his association with Toronto Raptors – the city-based team of the National Basket Association (NBA) has got him officially designated as Super Fan. Because of his unique status, he says, he has become the most famous Indian face on the most-watched NBA games in North America.

“As I have watched over 500 games, they have given me the status of Super Fan. During Vaisakhi and Diwali, I buy 3,000 tickets for NBA games for over $300,000 and give them to Sikhs and non-Sikh children so that they can enjoy matches. The idea is make the mainstream in North America aware about turbans and my Indian identity. The idea is to integrate my Indian community with the mainstream,’’ says Bhatia.

Bhatia is an easy-going man.
Can you tell who is the boss?

The multimillionaire Sikh says he  also plans to sponsor the Canadian basketball Olympic team. “Right now, Canada is very low on the Olympic basketball table. But within the next few years, I want them to win the Olympic medal. I am roping in basketball stars to train our Olympic team. And don’t forget that we are Canada’s top car dealership when it comes to raising funds for charities.’’

According to Bhatia,“Bridge-building with the mainstream is the road to success, and this is what I am doing.’’

And he has his reasons to.

“Something happened in 1998. I was walking into a Bell cellphone repair centre when a gentleman – who was talking on the phone – looked at me and said loudly: `Honey, I have to hang up now as my cab is here.‘ This man thought that all turbaned guys are cabbies. I wanted do change stereotype by telling the mainstream who we are.’’

Bhatia is workaholic.
Bhatia is workaholic.

He also recalled the discrimination he faced when he landed in Canada. “I was a guy with a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University. But nobody would give me a job because of my turban. It was so bad back in those days.’’

But thankfully, a Chinese car dealer gave him a break as salesman. “I was desperate so succeed that I sold 127 cars within three months. And the Chinese gentleman rewarded with a promotion as a manager. I always tell new immigrants that you have to work twice as hard to succeed, and that’s what I did. I am on the job from 8 am to 11 am.’’

And so impressed was Hyundai with his commitment that they made him the manager of a failing dealership to turn it around.

Within a few years, he not only turned it around but also bought it in 1989. Over the years, he has gone to buy more dealership and become one the top dealers in Canada.

Nav Bhatia watching an NBA game in the company of Canadian rapper-actor Drake.
Nav Bhatia watching an NBA game in the company of Canadian rapper-actor Drake.

Interestingly, Bhatia is also the man behind introducing Bollywood in a big way in Canada. Beginning with Hum Saath Saath Hain in 1999, he would bring newly released Bollywood films to Toronto and screen them at multiple theatres.

“We also brought many top-notch Bollywood stars – the Big B Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rehman, Shahrukh, Aamir , Akshay  and others to perform before mainstream audiences. This helped promote Indian culture and identity. Promoting my roots and culture remains my aim,’’ he says.

But more than his success, Bhatia is known for standing by his community, his people and his friends.

And he is not like so many other rich, pompous Indians here who speak with forked tongues and have zero record of helping fellow immigrants. Bhatia is genuine and down to earth, say his long-time colleagues.  Others tell you how he has helped many fellow immigrants get their footing in Canada.

READ ALSO: How immigrant doctor Birinder Singh Ahluwalia broke the ceiling in Canada

20 COMMENTS

  1. Hi,I check your blog named “How Nav Bhatia became a Canadian super success story” daily.Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up! And you can look our website about love spells.

  2. Good job I am Immigerant I will be start small business ,then to be wealthy in Canadá we have to work smart ,last week I was in your dealr ver y nice place i love it

  3. I was at the Raptors game an Nav you took time to take pictures with everyone my son included.
    You make me proud as an immigrant. There is no better example of the Toronto mosaic that you paint
    Keep up the good work

  4. very very very very proud of you nav. we used to go to the same college my brother. good day, sir. can i get some raptors tickets pls?

  5. Good story, I’m sure he worked hard. But please don’t put any Indian culture into the mainstream. This is Canada, leave it as is thank you.

  6. Nav there sadly not very many people on this earth like you. You are a human that we should all aspire to be like. Thank you for all of the goodness you both create and spread. Like you, I still believe that the word of the mouth is a promise you make and keep. Thank you!

  7. Ummmmm,,Does Russel Peters have a cousin or?? thats a comedian as well;) Cant seem to find him anywhere,but then there’s not that many 7~11’s in the Shwa

  8. Nice article. Don’t understand at the end why there is a bigoted slam on other Indians being bigoted and selfish. Here is this guy who says he (Sihk) was a minority in India, yet speaks to building the image of Indians (big range of people and languages) in general as well as the understanding if guys in turbans. The brief dig on Indians by the author doesn’t fit this article. It would be like ending an article on an NBA player by saying “He’s not like all those other black people.”

  9. Congrats Nav Bhatia on proving that Indians are smart and successful in America and Canada! My name is Sundeep Achreja. I would love to be a part of your successful team.

  10. Hi Nav
    This is to congratulate you that you have good team working for you, we were new immigrants when we approached your dealership for a new car, your flexible policies helped us get our first car,so essential to connect to a new country
    Regards
    parmjeet

  11. Congratulations to yet another “Canadian Desi”. I am proud of your accomplishments & we are all proud of you. (My good friend’s brotehr -in-law)! Way to go Navji!!!!
    Best wishes, jennifer gopinath

  12. Dear Nav he is my first cousin and when i read about him i feel so proud about the time we spent in my aunts home in mehrauli green park hauz khas . You have gone a long way Billa bhaaji you can call me +91 9769691885 if you ever read thsi message
    anup mumbai india

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