Without getting too political about the misunderstanding, isn’t it very strange that the Canadian Prime Minister called Diljit Dosanjh a Punjabi singer? Such a communal labelling on an international platform is weird and inappropriate, to say the least.
Our beloved singer Lata Mangeshkar has sung on many prestigious global platforms. No one has ever called her a ‘Marathi’ singer on stage.
Okay, let’s talk more contemporary. Arijit Singh is the most popular contemporary singer in India. Have you heard him being addressed as a ‘Bengali’ singer?
Lataji once spoke about her identity as an artist. He said, “I am proud to be a Marathi. But before that, I am an Indian and I am very proud to be an Indian. Artists are gypsies by nature. They cannot be confined to one place or culture.
I remember when Noor Jahanji came to India, she was asked whether she felt she was from Pakistan or India. She replied, ‘When I am in Pakistan I am from there now when I come to India I am from here.'” It is surprising that Diljit remained silent when Mr Trudeau infuriated people with his inflammatory statements. As an actor, Diljit is increasingly being attracted to politically charged controversial biopics based on issues. He starred in the anti-Sikh riots film Punjab 1984 released in 2014, Jogi in 2022 and Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila in 2024.
Director Honey Trehan’s film, tentatively titled Ghallughara, in which Diljit plays human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra during the Khalistan movement in the 1990s, finds itself in deep trouble. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has ordered 21 cuts in almost the entire film! If director Honey Trehan goes by the CBFC’s demand, ninety percent of the film will be gone.
Given the kind of political turmoil that has befallen the affable and apolitical Diljit Dosanjh’s career, perhaps it’s time for him to calm down.