In Short
- Diljit Dosanjh shared his views on representing Punjab
- He faced criticism for focusing on Punjab over India
- The singer said representing his roots is not a political statement
Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh recently opened up about his emotional connection to Punjab. In an interview with BBC, he teared up while speaking about representing the Punjabi culture globally. He also addressed the criticism that he often faces from a section of people who think he avoids speaking about India, and focusses only on Punjab. His interview came amid the backlash that he’s facing in India for working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, which is scheduled for release overseas on June 27.
Dosanjh expressed his values, and why he wants to represent Punjab worldwide. Responding to the criticism of representing Punjab, and not India, he said, “I don’t want it to seem like I’m doing anything for Punjab. I’m just doing my job. Whatever is happening is not in my control. I am Punjabi, what can I say? Anyone who says they’re doing something for others is lying. Everyone’s working for themselves. If their work has ripple effects, that’s another thing. I’m working for myself. I’m a very selfish guy.”
He went on, “These people are people. Everyone is a pawn in the grand scheme of things; we are all minions. We have no control over anything in our lives. We don’t even have control over our own breath. When someone hates me, I like to think that there is probably something still inside me that deserves to be hated. When I become a better person, I will not be hated any more. Punjab is such a wonderful place. It has been through so much, and yet it produces so many talented people. Perhaps Punjab is blessed, but perhaps it is also cursed.”
He made it clear that for him, representing his roots is not a political statement but a personal truth. Speaking to BBC Asian Network, Dosanjh reflected on how he has grown since 2020, calling himself a changed man. From becoming the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella and on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’, to making a bold appearance at the Met Gala – moments that he said weren’t just about his personal milestones, but about putting Punjab on the world map.
He recalled his debut appearance at the Met Gala 2025, and how everything came together as imagined. “I was sitting in my vanity van when I first had the idea of wearing a cape with the map of Punjab on it, and Gurmukhi written on it. I cried. I cried when I first had the vision. I wanted to honour my Punjabi culture,” he shared emotionally.
He added, “Me going there isn’t a big deal. But Punjab going there, and a turban being represented there, that’s huge. I wanted to make the biggest statement on that red carpet. The Punjabi language is ancient. It is due some respect. There is a whole story there. Diljit isn’t going to the Met Gala; Punjab is going to the Met Gala.”
He accused the French luxury brand, Cartier, of stealing the famous Maharaja of Patiala’s necklace. Dosanjh revealed how he ended up wearing a replica of the necklace after Cartier refused to present him the same. “I knew instantly that when I go (to the Met Gala) I want to look like a raja. When I went to the Cartier showroom last time, I asked them if they’d give me the Maharaja of Patiala’s necklace. It was ours, they stole it. There are more necklaces that they’ve taken and aren’t giving back. They promised they’d give it to me, but I was later told that it was at some exhibition somewhere. So we had a replica made,” he explained.
Dosanjh is currently facing heat from various film bodies in India for going ahead with the release of a film which features a Pakistani actor. The actor earlier broke his silence in the same interview and shared that it was the decision of the producers to release the film overseas. The actor also highlighted that the film was shot with Hania way before the ghastly Pahalgham attack by the Pakistan-funded terrorist outfit.
