Diljit Dosanjh

Early life

Diljit Dosanjh was born on 6 January 1984 to a Jat Sikh family in the village of Dosanjh Kalan in Phillaur tehsil, Jalandhar district, Punjab, India. His father, Balbir Singh, is a former employee of Punjab Roadways and his mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, is a homemaker. He has two siblings, one elder sister and one younger brother. During his childhood, Dosanjh moved into his uncle's home in Ludhiana and was schooled at the Guru Harkrishan Public School, due to financial reasons.

Career

2003–2015: Regional success

Dosanjh released his first album Ishq Da Uda Ada in 2003 with Finetone Cassettes, a division of T-Series. Rajinder Singh of Finetone, who helped Dosanjh make a debut in the Punjabi music industry, suggested to him to spell his first name as Diljit instead of Daljit.

Dosanjh's popularity soared with the release of his third album, Smile, produced by Sukhpal Sukh, which included the tracks "Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan" and "Paggan Pochviyan Wale." The album was released by Finetone Cassettes in 2005. His next album Ishq Ho Gaya was released in 2006 by Finetone Cassettes. His fifth album, titled Chocolate, came out in 2008.

In 2009, Dosanjh released several different singles – "Bhagat Singh (The Tribute)", "Ego (Me and Myself)" and "No Tension," "Power of Duets" as well.

On 20 August 2009, Dosanjh released his sixth studio album titled The Next Level with music composed by Yo Yo Honey Singh containing 8 tracks, making it one of his most successful albums. The album 's opening track was "Dil Nach Da" which was a huge success followed by tracks, "Panga" which was a gangsta rap track. The album became a hit and received positive reviews.

Dosanjh gave his next song in 2010 for the film Mel Karade Rabba's soundtrack. The track was included in the film during the opening credits.

2011 saw Dosanjh's entry into mainstream Punjabi films. His debut film in the lead role The Lion of Punjab, was released in February 2011. Though the film flopped at the box office, his track "Lak 28 Kudi Da", from the films's soundtrack, composed by and featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh, reached number 1 on the official Asian Download Chart in the US published by the BBC, according to Firstpost. In July 2011, his second Punjabi film Jihne Mera Dil Luteya was released. The film, also featuring Gippy Grewal and Neeru Bajwa, did well. Dosanjh gave vocals to six of the twelve tracks in the film's soundtrack. In November 2011, Dosanjh announced that he would not release his upcoming album Urban Pendu, that included the single "15 Saal", due to the controversy surrounding it. That single, featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh, talked about the promiscuous behaviour of underage girls and their indulgence in alcohol, drugs and tattoos. He wrote on his Facebook page: "It was not my intention to hurt anyone's sentiments. I apologize to my fans who were waiting for this song."

2016–2019: Mainstream expansion

Dosanjh next starred in the crime drama Udta Punjab (2016), his first Hindi film. With a worldwide collection of ₹996.7 million, the film proved to be a commercial success. Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, the film deals with the subject of substance abuse in the Indian province of Punjab. Co-starring alongside Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Udta Punjab generated controversy when the Central Board of Film Certification deemed that the film represented Punjab in a negative light and demanded extensive censorship before its theatrical release. The Bombay High Court later cleared the film for exhibition with one scene cut. Dosanjh also sang the song "Ik Kudi" for the film. In a highly positive review, The Hindu said that Dosanjh was "successful" in delivering a "highly hitting performance".

In 2017, Dosanjh starred in Phillauri, alongside Anushka Sharma and Suraj Sharma, a fantasy romantic comedy set in 1910s pre-independence India, where he portrayed a deceased local singer and the lover of a ghost. The film was released on 23 March 2017 and grossed over nearly ₹50 crore during its box-office to emerge a moderate success. Dosanjh's portrayal earned praise for bringing a lean, attractive Sikh lead to Bollywood screens for the first time. In the same year, Dosanjh made his national television debut as an expert/judge on the singing reality series Rising Star, an Indian adaptation of the international series of the same name, which aired on Colors TV. He featured on the show for two subsequent seasons.

In 2018, he returned to Punjabi cinema to star in the war drama that depicts the experiences of Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army fighting on the Western Front during World War I, titled Sajjan Singh Rangroot in which Dosanjh played the titular character. The film was one of the first of its genre in Pollywood and received acclaim, becoming one of the biggest regional hits in Punjab. In July, he portrayed Indian hockey player Sandeep Singh in the Hindi sports biopic Soorma. The film, which opened to mixed-to-positive reviews, chronicles Singh's rise, his famous drag-flicking technique that earned him the nickname "Flicker Singh," his paralysis after being accidentally shot, and his miraculous recovery to lead India at the Commonwealth Games.

In 2019, he became the first turbaned Sikh to be honoured with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. Later in the year, he headlined the Bollywood comedy film Good Newwz, alongside Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Kiara Advani, which revolves around in vitro fertilisation. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of 2019. The film also received positive reviews, holding a 71% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while noted critic Rajeev Masand praised Dosanjh for his comedic timing and portrayal of the childlike, invasive meddler Honey Batra.

2020–present: Global crossover

In 2020, he appeared in social satire Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari alongside Manoj Bajpayee and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film was released theatrically on 13 November 2020. In the same year, Dosanjh sang a spiritual song, "Paigambar". Later in the year, Dosanjh entered the Social 50 chart by Billboard, following the release of his 11th album G.O.A.T.. The album later rose to the top of Billboard's Top Triller Global chart.

In 2021, Dosanjh released his twelfth album Moonchild Era, which was penned by Raj Ranjodh and Arjan Dhillon. Album charted at #32 on Billboard Canadian Albums Chart making him the first Indian artist to have his three albums on Billboard charts. In 2021, he made it to the Sikh 100 list. He released his debut film as producer Honsla Rakh starring Sonam Bajwa, Shehnaaz Gill, Shinda Grewal alongside him. The film made 5.05 crore on its opening day making it the highest grossing Punjabi film on openings day. He signed with Warner Music in March 2022.

In April 2023, Dosanjh performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, making him the first Indian Punjabi artist to do so.

In 2024, Dosanjh played Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila opposite Parineeti Chopra in Imtiaz Ali film Amar Singh Chamkila, that released on Netflix. In her review for The Week, Suparna Sharma was appreciative of Dosanjh's portrayal and noted, "Diljit's eyes are lively pools of expression and the range of things he can convey just with his eyes is exceptional. As a singer, he is of course in his element here -- confident and engrossed. But he carries Chamkila's fame with the confused smile of someone who can't quite believe what is happening."

Dosanjh performed two songs, "Born to Shine" and "GOAT" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in June 2024. He sang the promotional song "Bhairava Anthem" where he shared screen with Prabhas for the Telugu sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD (2024). He played the lead role of an insecure lover alongside Neeru Bajwa in the Punjabi language comedy film Jatt & Juliet 3 directed by Jagdeep Sidhu. Like its predecessors, it received positive reviews and became a major success in Punjabi cinema. It emerged as the 2nd highest grossing Punjabi film of all time.

In 2025, Dosanjh debuted at the Met Gala, embodying his Punjabi heritage with a custom Maharaja ensemble featuring an ivory turban, gold embroidery, a cape, jewellery, and a ceremonial sword. This appearance at the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style themed event highlighted Indian culture alongside fellow Bollywood attendees like Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, and Priyanka Chopra. According to a Vogue poll, he was voted the best dressed celebrity. The same year, he played the titular character in the poorly received ZEE5 release Detective Sherdil. Around that time, Dosanjh became involved in a controversy regarding the inclusion of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in his next film Sardaarji 3, following the Pahalgam attack. Dosanjh chose not to release the film in India, opting instead for a release in Pakistan and other territories. This decision led to increased backlash. Despite the controversy, Sardaarji 3 became a commercial success upon its release. He also released his fifteenth studio album, AURA, on 15 October 2025.

Artistry

Continually experimenting with new musical ideas and images, Dosanjh's musical and performance style is the subject of analysis and scrutiny from critics. Dosanjh grew up learning music from Gobinder Singh Alampuri and Kartar Singh, and his initial work reflected their style. His later collaboration with Honey Singh lent a different dimension to his music. The composers Jaidev Kumar, Sukhpal Sukh, Sachin Ahuja, Pavneet Birgi, Jassi Bros Bhinda Aujla, and Tru Skool have all influenced him. His goal is to make a Punjabi song that becomes a worldwide hit like the Korean single "Gangnam Style".

In the media

Dosanjh was ranked in The Times of India's Most Desirable Men at No. 9 in 2016, at No. 13 in 2017, at No. 20 in 2018, at No. 16 in 2019, at No. 14 in 2020.

He was ranked in the Chandigarh Times' Most Desirable Men at No. 2 in 2018, at No. 1 in 2019, at No. 2 in 2020.

In August 2020, he became the first Punjabi artist to get featured at Times Square in New York City.

Brand endorsements

In August 2015, Coca-Cola signed Dosanjh as brand endorser for Punjab, India. Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce company chose Dosanjh for its Flipkart Connect campaign for Punjab. Dosanjh was appointed the brand ambassador of Season 4 of the Star Sports Pro Kabbadi along with Rana Daggubati and Puneeth Rajkumar. He sang and performed the Pro Kabbadi League theme song "Asli Panga", produced by Yo Yo Honey Singh. In October 2024, Dosanjh was appointed as the brand ambassador of the lifestyle and luggage brand Mokobara.

Philanthropy

Dosanjh started an NGO called Saanjh Foundation focusing on underprivileged children and seniors, contributing to orphanages and old age homes. It also endeavours youth empowerment with issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring, and career development. It takes its name from the second part of Dosanjh's last name, which loosely translated means "amity". He launched this organisation on his birthday in 2013.

Personal life

Dosanjh became a US citizen in 2022. He is married to Sandeep Kaur, an American citizen. The couple has a son.

Discography

DIL (2002)

Ishq Da Uda Aada (2002)

Haysha (UK) (2004)

Smile (India & Canada) Over Exposure (UK) (2005)

Ishq Ho Gaya (2008)

Chocolate (2008)

The Next Level (2009)

Sikh (2012)

Back 2 Basics (2012)

Con.fi.den.tial (2018)

Roar (2018)

G.O.A.T. (2020)

MoonChild Era (2021)

Ghost (2023)

Aura (2025)

Filmography