Diljit Dosanjh, one of the most celebrated and versatile artists in the entertainment world today, is currently in the midst of his highly successful Dil-luminati tour, captivating audiences across India after having already performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe. During his concert in Lucknow on November 22, he addressed the ongoing controversy that has been swirling around his music, particularly regarding the criticism he has faced for allegedly promoting alcoholism and gun violence in his songs. Rather than being defensive, Diljit used the platform to challenge the standards applied to his work and call out what he sees as a double standard in how censorship is handled across different forms of media.
The controversy erupted when some critics pointed fingers at Diljit’s popular songs, especially Patiala Peg, for allegedly glorifying alcohol consumption. This prompted a well-known TV anchor to challenge Diljit, questioning whether he could create a hit song without references to alcohol. At his Lucknow show, Diljit, known for his candid and unapologetic persona, took the opportunity to address this challenge head-on. He told the audience, “Ek anchor sahab hai TV pe unke baare mein baat karna chahta hoon, mujhe challenge kar rahe the ki bina sharab ke gaana hit kar ke bataye (There's an anchor I’d like to talk about, who challenged me to create a hit song without references to alcohol).”
Diljit, not missing a beat, countered the challenge by listing some of his biggest songs that have had even greater commercial success than Patiala Peg, including Born To Shine, Kinni Kinni, GOAT, Naina, and Lover. He confidently pointed out that these tracks had far exceeded the popularity of Patiala Peg, asserting that the challenge to him was baseless and without merit. “For your kind information, sir, those songs are much bigger hits than Patiala Peg. So, your challenge doesn’t hold any ground,” he said with a smile, much to the delight of his fans.
However, Diljit did not just stop at defending his own music. He expanded the conversation to tackle what he saw as an unequal application of censorship across various forms of media. He made a passionate argument that if his songs were to be scrutinized for alcohol references, then the same level of scrutiny should also be applied to Indian cinema. Diljit pointed out that alcohol-related scenes and songs were common in Bollywood, with numerous leading actors taking part in such portrayals without facing the same kind of backlash. “Which big actor has not done an alcohol song or scene? Censorship films mein bhi laga do (Censorship should be applied in films as well),” he said, emphasizing the need for a consistent approach to censorship in both music and film.
In his usual down-to-earth manner, Diljit also reminded the audience of the stature of his work, saying, “My work is not cheap. My films have received National Film Awards as well.” This was a direct reference to his well-regarded film career, where his performances have earned him recognition and accolades, further solidifying his position as a significant figure in Indian entertainment. He then shared his thoughts on how artists, including himself, could easily put disclaimers during their performances, warning about the harmful effects of alcohol, but pointed out that such an approach would inadvertently feel like a deflection from the actual issue at hand. He implied that running a disclaimer would only draw more attention to the critics' accusations and create the perception that artists were simply trying to cover up or apologize for their work, which he wasn’t willing to do.
Diljit wrapped up his comments by addressing the media directly. “If you have spread fake news, I challenge you to run the correct news. I am not at all angry with anyone,” he concluded, showing his characteristic composure and clarity. Despite the ongoing criticism, Diljit’s response was measured, reflecting his belief in his work and his commitment to calling out the inconsistency in how artists are treated compared to their counterparts in the film industry.
Diljit’s India leg of the Dil-luminati tour has been a major success, with packed shows in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. In fact, his Ahmedabad concert saw the presence of Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who joined Diljit on stage, adding an extra layer of excitement to the performance. The Lucknow show was another highlight, drawing in enthusiastic fans who cheered and supported the artist as he addressed the ongoing controversies with grace and conviction. After Lucknow, Diljit is all set to head to Pune for his next performance, continuing his journey to captivate and entertain audiences across the country.
Diljit’s Dil-luminati tour is more than just a series of concerts; it has become a platform for the artist to engage with fans and the wider public, particularly in the face of controversies surrounding his music. His approach to addressing these issues head-on shows his commitment to transparency, while also challenging the prevailing norms and censorship practices in Indian entertainment. His words, and his entire approach to this tour, serve as a powerful statement on the evolving role of artists in the entertainment industry and the kind of impact they can have when they stand up for their beliefs.
