Diljit Dosanjh Doesn't Care
Diljit Dosanjh, one of Punjab's biggest and most popular cultural exports to the world, may be a rab da banda, a ' Lover', and a son of the soil but he has proven time and again that he is no pushover.
The Sardaar Ji 3 Row
Take the latest Sardaar Ji 3 controversy for example. He took on the world's anger when he announced that Pakistani star Hania Aamir is very much a part of his Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3. And he did it in a very Diljit Dosanjh way. He initially teased his fans and followers on social media, and then made the big declaration.
Diljit Dosanjh shared the trailer of the Amar Hundal film, which skipped its India release amid India-Pakistan tensions, on his Instagram handle. The promotional material, though was geoblocked on YouTube, was available to be seen through the actor-singer's page and prominently featured Hania Aamir in a key role opposite him.
The movie was released only overseas, with Pakistan as one of the markets. Diljit Dosanjh, who was trolled online and offline for starring with Hania Aamir in the film which he also co-produced, unabashedly kept sharing videos of a rave response that Sardaar Ji 3 received in Pakistani theatres.
He and his team regularly shared box office updates of the movie doing great numbers at the international box office.
During the Sardaar Ji 3 row, Diljit Dosanjh also found time to support and promote his film Punjab '95, directed by Honey Trehan, which is still stuck with the Censor Board.
Diljit Dosanjh, Beyond Borders And No Entries
The heat of the Sardaar Ji 3 debate also threatened to jeopardise Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming projects such as Border 2 and No Entry 2.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote to the makers of Border 2 expressing disappointment and concern about his casting in the war drama. There were unconfirmed reports that Diljit Dosanjh was unceremoniously kicked out of the sequel to JP Dutta's 1997 hit Border.
Days later, the singer-actor answered his naysayers by sharing a BTS video from the Border 2 sets, twirling his moustache, in the uniform of an Indian Air Force officer. That video -- set to the song Sandese Aate Hain from Border -- both broke the Internet and silenced his critics.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh)
Yesterday, he shared another BTS video montage from Border 2 sets, enjoying a laugh with co-stars Ahan Shetty and Mona Singh. In the same clip, No Entry 2 producer Boney Kapoor and director Anees Bazmee also make an appearance, chatting away with Diljit Dosanjh.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh)
Again, the actor-singer quelled the rumours of his reported ouster from No Entry 2.
The Challenger Of The Authorities Who Bows Down When Needed
Diljit Dosanjh started the New Year 2025 by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"A fantastic start to 2025. A very memorable meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We talked about a lot of things including music of course!" he wrote in an X post.
A fantastic start to 2025
A very memorable meeting with PM @narendramodi Ji.
We talked about a lot of things including music of course! pic.twitter.com/TKThDWnE0P
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) January 1, 2025
His meeting with the prime minister came days after he criticised online trolls for tagging him in a tweet where he had misspelled Punjab and forgot to add the Indian flag.
Everything is a conspiracy for a section of and labelled his naysayers as "vehley" (idle).
ਪੰਜਾਬ 🇮🇳
Kisi ek Tweet Mai Agar ਪੰਜਾਬ ke Saath 🇮🇳 Flag Mention Reh Gaya Toh Conspiracy
BENGALURU ke Tweet Mai bhi Ek Jagha Reh Gaya Thaa Mention Karna..
Agar ਪੰਜਾਬ Ko PANJAB Likha toh Conspiracy
PANJAB Ko Chaye PUNJAB likho..
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੰਜਾਬ Hee Rehna 😇
Panj Aab - 5 Rivers… pic.twitter.com/a1U7q8DW5j
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) December 16, 2024
"If in a tweet there is no mention of the flag, that's a conspiracy. Even in the Bengaluru tweet, there wasn't a flag in one place. If Punjab is written as Panjab then that's conspiracy. Whether it's written Punjab or Panjab, it will remain as Punjab (sic)."
Even when the Telangana government sent him a legal notice, directing him not to promote alcohol, drugs, and violence in his songs ahead of his Hyderabad concert during last year's Dil-Luminati India Tour, he wiggled out of the prickly situation in style tweaking the lyrics of his songs Lemonade and 5 Taara, while also calling out the authorities over double standards.
When he went to Gujarat with his tour, he told the audience, "There's good news. I did not get any notice today. Even today I won't sing any song about alcohol. It's because Gujarat is a dry state."
In videos that he posted on his X page, he dared state governments to close liquor shops across the country.
Let's start Dry Nation Movement 🙏🏽
Ahmedabad 🪷 pic.twitter.com/K5RfuSn2Kx
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) November 17, 2024
"Let's start a movement. If all states declare themselves as a dry state, from the next day, Diljit Dosanjh will stop singing songs about alcohol in live concerts. There's another offer. Declare a dry day in whichever place I perform, I won't sing songs about alcohol," Diljit Dosanjh famously said at his Ahmedabad concert in November 2024.
Almost a decade ago, Diljit Dosanjh sent Bollywood into a tizzy when he made his Hindi film debut in 2016 with the Punjab-set crime drama Udta Punjab. He was treated as a newcomer, which he was not. He was already a formidable name in the Punjabi cinema and music circuit.
While he was keen about establishing himself in the Hindi film industry by doing quality cinema, Diljit Dosanjh wanted to do it on his own terms and in his own time.
"I am not earning a lot of money in Bollywood. I am earning (more) money by doing shows and Punjabi films than Hindi films. Let me establish myself here (in Bollywood). I am not running after money in Bollywood, I am experimenting with films and roles here. If I don't like anything I say no to it. I have a career in music. If I don't do anything I will do music," he told PTI in a 2018 interview.
Diljit Dosanjh The GOAT
Today, Diljit Dosanjh is a different animal altogether. He proved his acting chops in Hindi cinema once again playing the controversial Punjabi singer-performer Amar Singh Chamkila in the 2023 eponymous movie. He became the first Punjabi to go to Coachella this year, a feat he followed up with a royal debut at the Met Gala where he partied with Shakira, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
Starting next year, a university in Canada will offer a course dedicated to the Punjabi singer-songwriter, exploring his musician's global impact on pop culture.
With Sardaar Ji 3 inching closer to earning Rs 50 crore globally and Border 2 and No Entry 2 on the way, Diljit Dosanjh is unstoppable. As is his social media game.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Stephen Devassy reunites with childhood caretaker after decades - ‘she was there even before I was born'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Renowned music composer and keyboardist Stephen Devassy recently took to social media to share a deeply emotional moment that touched the hearts of his followers. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Stephen spoke about reuniting with Pattathiyar, the cherished caretaker who had been part of his life since his earliest days. The reunion took place at his ancestral home, where the two sat together on the verandah. P attathiyar, as she is fondly known in Stephen's family, has been more than just a caretaker. She was there long before Stephen was even born—present at his parents' wedding, and later, an integral part of his upbringing. 'She looked after me when I was a child. She was the one who used to bathe me until a certain age,' Stephen wrote. A life intertwined with generations Stephen's note revealed that Pattathiyar has been part of their family for over five decades. His note completely read, "A trip down memory lane.. We fondly call her Pattathiyar.. She took care of me in my childhood days. She was the one who used to bathe me when I was a baby.. I had the privilege of meeting Pattathiyar yesterday. We walked down the memory lane once again. Pattathiyar always had her presence in our lives- she saw my parents getting married, she was there at the wedding functions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo In fact, she has been an integral part of our family for more than five decades. Yesterday when I met her, Pattathiyar was really excited to talk about my childhood and it's memories. Glad that I could spend some time with her.. #ottapalam #childhood #native #stephendevassy #beautifulmemories." Hridayapoorvam - Official Teaser Netizens react - So adorable The post, accompanied by touching photos and a short video of the two sitting together and talking, touched his fans and followers emotionally. One comment read, "So adorable." Another comment read, "Such a nice snap." A third one commented, "Amid your busy life, you found time to meet her. so adorable."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Klay Thompson and fiancee Megan Thee Stallion take couple goals to the gym, end session with a kiss
Klay Thompson and fiancee Megan Thee Stallion (Image credit: Instagram) Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson and pop star Megan Thee Stallion took their relationship to a whole new level. The new but much-talked-about couple recently hit the gym together, and the video from their joint workout session was proof that they were possibly the best workout partners for each other. What was worth noticing was how they went on to do exercises from each other's workout regimes and aced them. Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion hit the gym together Sharing the video on Instagram, Megan Thee Stallion wrote, 'Not I got him working out with no shoes on lol (weightlifting emojis) his lil commentary.' In a rushed voiceover, she explained all about their joint workout session. The couple were seen being assisted by Thompson's trainer, who made them do a few workout routines. They lifted weights, played pass-the-ball, and did planks. 'I hate planks. You can see it all up in my m***********g face. But the booty is sitting nice, and I guess the abs,' she said in the video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) She also explained how they hit the gym the next day, when she made Thompson do the ab workout. She added that he didn't like it, though, but the two once again went on to do some more exercises to keep themselves in good form — for each other. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The video ended with the two of them helping each other after their second gym session and sealing it with a kiss. Fans are full of praise for Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion's joint workout session Fans of the couple simply loved how well they coordinated in the gym. A fan named Natasha Terrell wrote, "This is the best Hot Girl Coach voiceover to date! YAAAASSSS Klay on the feature!" Another, called Vee Nicole, commented, "Yessss, why do I just love THEM together already and I just met THEM last week?" A person named Ellen Ector shared her opinion, saying, "That's the best type of relationship! If you have a man that works out with you, it's the best quality time you can share together!" A fan even hinted that Thompson was a changed man in love, saying, "I ain't NEVA heard Klay talk this much! That man in love lol. " Also Read: 'She's gonna do him dirty': Megan Thee Stallion gushes over Klay Thompson but her words have fans panicking the romance "won't last long" The workout video came just days after the couple made their first red carpet appearance together at the Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala, twinning in black. While Thompson is yet to speak about her in public, Stallion has said he makes her 'genuinely happy.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Belgian man travels 750 Km to meet ‘future wife', is greeted by her husband instead
In a bizarre case of online deception, a Belgian man's dream of meeting his 'future wife' turned into an awkward and heartbreaking reality check, one that ended with him face-to-face not with the woman of his dreams, but her real husband, Fox News reported. The man, identified only as Michel, reportedly drove nearly 750 kilometres (around 472 miles) from Belgium to France to meet French model Sophie Vouzelaud, or so he believed. Vouzelaud, a former Miss France runner-up, is a well-known public figure. But when Michel arrived at her doorstep, he was met by her husband, Fabien Boutamine, who documented the unexpected encounter in a video that has since gone viral. 'I have to film this,' Boutamine is heard saying in the clip. 'There's a man at my door saying he's Sophie Vouzelaud's future husband. But I'm her current one.' The video captures a tense and bewildering exchange, with Michel appearing genuinely convinced that he and Vouzelaud were in a relationship. He had reportedly been in touch with someone impersonating the model online, and claimed to have sent a staggering $35,000 (approx. ₹ 29 lakh) to the scammer over time. Sophie Vouzelaud later addressed the incident on Instagram, urging followers to be cautious of fake accounts using her name and images. 'I feel so sorry for this man… Please be vigilant. I'm sharing this video to show that this really happened. Be careful and take care of yourselves,' she wrote in French. The incident has sparked conversations about online romance scams and the emotional toll they take on victims. Michel, clearly shaken, could be heard saying in the video, 'I think she played a dirty trick on me,' to which Boutamine replied, 'It's fake accounts. You have to be very careful.' While no formal action has been reported so far, the case serves as a sobering reminder of how easily people can be manipulated online.
