Diljit Dosanjh, the globally renowned Punjabi singer, is currently navigating a media storm surrounding his hit songs and their alleged promotion of alcohol and violence. While his ‘Dil-Luminati Tour’ is receiving a phenomenal response across India, a recent controversy has thrust him into the spotlight. The controversy began when the Telangana government requested Dosanjh to refrain from performing songs containing references to drugs and alcohol during his Hyderabad concert. While he complied with the request, modifying his lyrics on the spot, he didn’t shy away from subtly criticizing the government’s intervention.
Dosanjh’s response to the Hyderabad incident set the stage for a larger conversation. He boldly declared, “Let’s do something, let’s start a movement. If all states declare themselves dry states, I’ll stop singing songs on alcohol from the very next day… I will stop singing about alcohol, you shut the ‘thekas’ (liquor shops) in the country… I take a pledge.” This unapologetic stance has ignited heated debates on television news channels, further fueling the controversy.
During his subsequent concert in Lucknow on November 22nd, Dosanjh directly addressed the media’s scrutiny. He refuted claims of rivalry with other artists, stating, “Kaafi dino se media mein ye baat chal rahi hai, main ek baat saaf kar dena chahta hun, mera kisi ke saath koi muqabla nahi hai. Main sabko bahaut pyar karta hun (Media has been running several reports about me. I want to tell them, there is nothing versus Diljit. I love everyone.)” This statement aimed to quell the rumors and narratives that had been circulating.
The singer further escalated his response by publicly challenging a male TV news anchor who questioned his ability to create hit songs without referencing alcohol and drugs. Dosanjh countered this challenge effectively, citing numerous successful songs—such as ‘Born To Shine,’ ‘GOAT,’ ‘Lover,’ ‘Kinni Kinni,’ and ‘Naina’—which boast high Spotify streams, far exceeding those of his more controversial songs like ‘Patiala Peg.’ He emphatically stated, “For your kind information sir, my songs Born To Shine, GOAT, Lover, Kinni Kinni, and Naina and a lot of my other songs are streamed more on Spotify as compared to Patiala Peg. So your challenge goes waste, because I already proved you wrong.”
Dosanjh’s defiance extended to a broader critique of censorship, arguing that artists are often unfairly targeted. He passionately declared, “Apko censorship lagana hai toh sab pe lagao. Kalakaar apko soft target lagte hain, isilie aap gaane wale singer ko chedhte ho. Maine jo filmein ki hain unko National Award bhi mila hai. Isilie hamara kaam sasta kaam nahi hai (If you have to censor, then impose it on everyone. You find artistes as a soft target, that’s why you target them. I have won National Awards, that’s why my work is not cheap).” This statement highlights his frustration with the selective targeting of artists and emphasizes the value and recognition he has achieved in his career.
The ongoing debate surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s music highlights the complex intersection of artistic expression, societal expectations, and government regulation in the Indian entertainment industry. His unapologetic stance and strong rebuttal are sure to continue fueling conversations about censorship, artistic freedom, and the role of media in shaping public perception.
