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Diljit Dosanjh
Diljit Dosanjh: As the sands of time have shifted, the landscape of the Punjabi music industry has undergone a profound metamorphosis, departing from the paradigms of yesteryears. A vanguard in steering this evolution, presently acclaimed as one of the paramount figures in Punjab’s musical realm, is Diljit Dosanjh.
A distinguished Punjabi vocalist, Diljit stands adorned with numerous chart-topping singles and albums that have enraptured aficionados of musical artistry. Among his repertoire, resoundingly successful compositions such as ‘Veervaar,’ ‘Taata,’ ‘Sardaar Ji,’ ‘Patiala Peg,’ ‘Happy Birthday,’ and ‘Proper Patola’ have etched his name in the annals of musical brilliance. Beyond the melodic realm, he has graced television, co-hosting programs, and award ceremonies alongside luminaries like Sonu Sood, Divya Dutta, Gulshan Grover, and Kapil Sharma.
His ascendancy in the music domain, coupled with his charismatic visage, ushered him into Punjab cinema, renowned as Pollywood. Here, he substantiated his prowess with cinematic gems like ‘Jatt & Juliet,’ ‘Punjab 1984,’ ‘Jatt & Juliet 2,’ ‘Sardaar Ji,’ and ‘Sardaar Ji 2,’ deemed as landmarks in the tapestry of Punjabi cinema. Diljit Dosanjh, today, stands as a beacon among the burgeoning stars of Pollywood. Let us delve into the narrative of this rising luminary, exploring facets of his life, career, and other intriguing dimensions.
Nascence of a Gifted Artisan in Punjab
Born Daljit Dosanjh on January 6, 1984, into the Sikh household of S. Balbir Singh Dosanjh, an employee of Punjab Roadways, and Sukhwinder Kaur in Dosanjh Kalan, a hamlet in Jalandhar, India, Diljit’s early days unfolded in Ludhiana. Here, he graced the corridors of ‘Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School,’ obtaining his high school diploma.
The cadence of his musical journey commenced during his school years, resonating through the rendition of Gurwani Sikh music in local gurdwaras. Guided by the maestros Kartar Singh and Gobinder Singh Alampuri, Diljit’s early musical oeuvre echoed the influences of his mentors. Since then, he has not only bewitched audiences with harmonious symphonies but has also cemented his status as a preeminent maestro in the tapestry of Punjab’s musical heritage.
Ingress into the Melodious Domain of Punjab
The seminal solo opus and music video, ‘Ishq Da Uda Ada,’ encapsulated in a 2000 album by ‘Finetone Cassettes,’ marked Diljit’s inaugural foray into the mainstream musical panorama. Despite the lukewarm reception of his first two albums, ‘Ishq Da Uda Ada‘ and ‘Dil,’ released by Finetone Cassettes in 2004, the dawn of acclaim awaited him in 2005 with the unveiling of his third album, ‘Smile.’ This musical opus, featuring tracks like ‘Paggan Pochviyan Wale’ and ‘Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan,’ catapulted him into the limelight, heralding the advent of a burgeoning music luminary. Subsequent years witnessed a prolific outpouring of albums such as ‘Ishq Ho Gaya’ (2006), ‘Chocolate’ (2008), ‘The Next Level’ (2009), ‘Sikh’ (2012), ‘Back 2 Basics’ (2012), among others.
Amidst the plethora of his chart-topping albums, ‘The Next Level’ clinched the laurel for the Best Folk Pop Album at the ‘PTC Punjabi Music Awards’ in 2010, while ‘Back 2 Basics’ secured the title of Best Album of the Year at the ‘Brit Asia TV Music Awards’ in 2013. Diljit’s singles also ascended pinnacles of recognition, with ‘Proper Patola’ earning accolades as the Best Pop Vocalist Male and Most Popular Song of the Year at the ‘PTC Punjabi Music Awards’ in 2014.
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Another magnum opus, ‘Patiala Peg,‘ clinched laurels as the Best Pop Vocalist Male for a Single and Best Bhangra Song of the Year at the ‘PTC Punjabi Music Awards,’ in addition to Best Single World and Best Male Act awards at the ‘Brit Asia TV World Music Awards’ in 2015.
Diljit, whose live performances have assumed a cult status among his ardent admirers, embarks on regular tours spanning the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. ‘The Dosanjh Tour’ in the UK, held in 2016, bore testimony to his magnetic allure, with concerts being sold out – a feat achieved by only a select few, including the venerable Gurdas Mann.
Inroads into the Cinematic Tapestry of Punjab
Simultaneously, as his musical trajectory ascended celestial heights, Diljit ventured into the realm of celluloid, debuting in the 2011 Punjabi film ‘The Lion of Punjab.’ Portraying the protagonist Avtar Singh and lending his vocal resonance to six of the nine tracks, the film, although not a box office triumph, birthed a musical gem titled “Lak 28 Kudi Da,” featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh. This track, unfeatured in the movie, soared to the zenith of England’s official Asian Download Chart on April 30, 2011.
His subsequent cinematic endeavor, ‘Jihne Mera Dil Luteya’ (2011), wherein he shared the screen with luminaries like Gippy Grewal and Neeru Bajwa, fared commendably. The film, adorned with six tracks sung by Diljit, not only garnered viewer acclaim but also bestowed upon him the Best Actor accolade at the ‘Punjabi International Film Academy Awards’ and ‘PTC Punjabi Film Awards’ in 2012, shared with Gippy Grewal.
The subsequent chapter in his cinematic odyssey unfolded with the release of ‘Jatt and Juliet’ (2012), a Punjabi romantic comedy that emerged as a resounding success. Diljit, essaying the lead role alongside Neeru Bajwa, lent his voice to five of the seven songs, clinching the Best Actor award at the ‘PTC Punjabi Film Awards’ in 2013. The triumph of ‘Jatt and Juliet’ spawned its sequel, ‘Jatt & Juliet 2’ (2013), marking a pioneering venture as the first sequel in the history of Pollywood. The sequel, reprising Diljit and Neeru Bajwa, mirrored the success of its predecessor, earning Diljit another Best Actor award at the ‘PTC Punjabi Film Awards’ in 2014.
Emboldened by the triumph of ‘Jatt and Juliet,’ Diljit continued his cinematic sojourn, contributing to a slew of Punjabi films over subsequent years, including titles like ‘Saadi Love Story’ (2013), ‘Disco Singh’ (2014), and ‘Mukhtiar Chadha’ (2015). His cinematic repertoire, resonating with triumphs, encompassed films like ‘Sardaarji’ (2015), its sequel ‘Sardaarji 2’ (2016), and ‘Ambarsariya’ (2016), which not only conquered Punjab’s box office but also rivaled certain Bollywood productions in the overseas market.
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Noteworthy among his cinematic triumphs is the Punjabi period drama ‘Punjab 1984’ (2014), directed by Anurag Singh. This cinematic marvel not only achieved blockbuster status but also garnered acclaim from critics, securing the Best Feature Punjabi Film award at the 62nd National Film Awards. Diljit, essaying the pivotal role of Shivjeet Singh Mann, earned the Best Actor accolade at the ‘PTC Punjabi Film Awards’ in 2015. His impending cinematic venture, ‘Super Singh,’ is slated for release in 2017.
Odyssey in Bollywood
Diljit embarked on his Bollywood journey with the crime drama ‘Udta Punjab,’ an exploration of drug abuse in Punjab. In the face of controversy and hurdles surrounding its theme, the movie premiered globally on June 17, 2016. Diljit, portraying the character of ASI Sartaj Singh alongside Bollywood luminaries Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt, received acclaim from critics and triumphed at the box office. His forthcoming Bollywood endeavor, ‘Phillauri,‘ a romantic comedy slated for release on March 31, 2017, will feature him opposite Bollywood luminary Anushka Sharma.
Intrigues of his Personal Sphere – The Enigma of Matrimony
The charismatic Diljit, often entwined in speculations about romantic liaisons with co-stars, has kindled curiosity among his admirers regarding his personal life, romantic entanglements, and marital status. While conjectures alluded to a clandestine union with a Canadian damsel and whispers suggested the presence of a one-year-old progeny, concrete evidence to substantiate these claims remains elusive.
Other Facets
Beyond the realms of music and cinema, Diljit lends his endorsement to brands like Coca-Cola and Flipkart in Punjab. Notably, he, along with Puneeth Rajkumar and Rana Daggubati, assumes the mantle of the brand ambassador for Star Sports Pro Kabbadi in its fourth season. On his birthday in 2013, Diljit inaugurated his NGO, the ‘Saanjh Foundation,’ with a primary focus on the welfare of seniors and underprivileged children.
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