Will Diljit Dosanjh become Punjab's political face? Singer sets record straight

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has said he does not want to enter politics after a public appeal asked him to become the new face of Punjab politics. On Saturday, he responded to the appeal and made it clear that he is happier working in entertainment.

The appeal followed an article titled ‘Can Diljit Dosanjh be the new political face of Punjab?’ The report said a group of civil society activists, including retired soldiers and people from various walks of life, had urged Diljit to enter politics. The group, led by retired bureaucrat SS Boparai, reportedly wants the actor-musician to lead because he never asked for such a role.

What prompted the appeal

Responding to the post, Diljit declined the suggestion and said he was content acting and singing.

On X, he wrote in Punjabi, “Kadey v Nhi..Mera Kam Entertainment Karna. (Never. My job is to entertain) Am Very Happy in My Field. Thank You So Much.”

Political remarks and criticism

During his Aura tour stop in Edmonton, Canada, on May 2, he addressed the backlash he faces in India and said some people mock him with the phrase “Khalistani aa gaye oye (Khalistani have come)”, a twist on his slogan.

The moment came after a child in the audience shouted, “Punjabi aa gaye oye (Punjabi have come)”. Diljit replied, “Nobody can stop a child. A child will say whatever he wants to.” He then added, “When I go to India, they say, 'Khalistani aa gaya oye.' When I come here, they say something else. I get abuses from both sides. I don't get where I should go. There's only one path I know I should follow.”

A few days earlier, at his Calgary concert, Diljit stopped after seeing protesters waving Khalistan flags. He told them they could keep waving the flags, but said he would continue to make Punjab proud wherever he went.

He also referred to his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he spoke about the 1914 Guru Nanak Jahaz tragedy in Canada, and linked it to his Vancouver concert, which he described as the biggest Punjabi concert outside India.

Diljit has also defended his appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati after criticism from Sikhs for Justice over his gesture of touching Amitabh Bachchan’s feet.

In India, right-wing groups have also accused him of supporting Khalistan after he backed the 2020-2021 farmers’ protests, which he denied. He later faced scrutiny over appearing with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3 after the Pahalgam terror attacks. During his Dil-Luminati Tour in 2024, after threats to disrupt his Indore concert, he quoted Rahat Indori: “Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai (India doesn't belong to just one person's father)”, and was later seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

On the work front

Diljit last starred in Border 2 this year. He also has Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga lined up with Vedang Raina, Sharvari Wagh, and Naseeruddin Shah.