Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh
Diljit Dosanjh at photo shoot for his hit single Proper Patola in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Daljit Singh Dosanjh
Born	(1984-01-06) 6 January 1984 Dosanjh Kalan, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Occupations	Singer Actor Television Presenter Philanthropist
Years active	2000–present
Website	www.iamdiljitdosanjh.com

Daljit Singh Dosanjh (born 6 January 1984),^[1] better known by his stage name Diljit Dosanjh (Punjabi: ਦਿਲਜੀਤ ਦੋਸਾਂਝ), is an Indian Punjabi singer and actor. Born in a tiny village in Punjab, India, Dosanjh is today recognized as one of the leading artists in the Punjabi music industry. He also acts in Punjabi movies, the most noticeable of them is the 2012 film Jatt & Juliet - which is counted among the most successful Punjabi movies in history. His first recorded mainstream performance was his solo track and music video Ishq Da Uda Ada from his 2000 album produced by T-Series.^[2] The music album, of the same name, featured seven other tracks.

Life and career

1984-2000: Early life and beginnings

Diljit Dosanjh was born on 6 January 1984 in Dosanjh Kalan, a village in Jalandhar district in Punjab, India, India. His father, Balbir Singh Dosanjh, is an employee with Punjab Roadways and his mother is a housewife. He spent his early childhood in Dosanjh Kalan and then moved to Ludhiana, Punjab, from where he completed his formal education, including his high school from Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School. He also attended a college in Ludhiana. While still in school, he began singing Sikh music at local gurdwaras.

2000-2004: Ishq Da Uda Ada and Dil

Dosanjh released his first mixtape Ishq Da Uda Ada in 2000 with Finetone recording company, a division of T-Series. Rajinder Singh of Finetone, who helped Dosanjh make a debut in the Punjabi music industry, suggested him to spell his first name as Diljit instead of Daljit.^[1] The music was composed by Bablu Mahindra and the lyrics were written by Balvir Boparai. Dosanjh gave vocals to all the eight tracks and the producers made a music video for the title track of the album. In 2004, his second album Dil was released, which was again with Finetone. With the title of the album chosen to match with the first part of his name, the album again had eight tracks.

2004-2010: More mixtapes and singles

Dosanjh's third album, Smile, with tracks Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan and Paggan Pochviyan Wale, soared Dosanjh's popularitiy. The album was released by T-Series in 2005. His next album, Ishq Ho Gaya was released in 2006 by Finetone recording company. Next album, titled Chocolate, came out in 2008. In 2009, Dosanjh released four different singles - Bhagat Singh, No Tension, Power of Duets and Dance with Me. Next year, Dosanjh released his sixth album called The Next Level with nine tracks. Dosanjh gave his next song in 2010 for Mel Karade Rabba: Original Soundtrack. The track was lip-synced by the actor Jimmy Shergill and was included in the feature film of the same name during opening credits.^[3] Dosanjh also made a guest appearance in the movie towards the end. The same year, Dosanjh collaborated with Punjabi rapper Honey Singh and released the single Mai, Me and Myself. The single was religious and philosophical in nature.

2011-2012: Entry into Punjabi movies and Lak 28 Kudi Da

2011 saw Dosanjh's entry into mainstream Punjabi movies. 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 movie's soundtrack was a major success. The track, featuring Honey Singh, reached number 1 on The Official Asian Download Chart in UK published by the BBC. In July, 2011, his second Punjabi movie, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya was released. The film, also featuring Gippy Grewal and Neeru Bajwa, did good business. Dosanjh gave vocals to six of the twelve tracks in the film's soundtrack. In November the same year, Diljit declared that he won't release his controversial album, Urban Pendu, that included the single 15 Saal. That single, featuring Honey Singh, talked about promiscuous behavior of underage girls and their indulgence in alcohol, drugs and tattoos.^[4] 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."^[5] Dosanjh wore a T-shirt with the words "Urban Pendu" printed on it in the music video of his 2013 hit single, Proper Patola as a remembrance of that track and album. Dosanjh also released three different singles in 2011 - Catty Eyes, Dharti and Chustiyan.

2012-present: Breakthrough with Jatt & Juliet and Proper Patola

Dosanjh continued his collaboration with Honey Singh in 2012 and released a single titled Goliyan that formed a part of the album International Villager He next sang for the soundtrack of Bollywood film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, released in January 2012, in a single called Pee Pa Pee Pa that also featured Priya Panchal. He also acted in that music video in the movie. His subsequent single, Bodyguard, glorified the fall of Libyan revolutionary and politician, Muammar Gaddafi, where Dosanjh sang about his lifestyle, capture and death. His subsequent single, Miss Lonely, was composed by JSL Singh. In March 2012, he released his first religious album titled Sikh. The album featured eight singles and talked about the principles and philosophy of Sikh religion. Dosanjh played a lead role in June 2012 movie Jatt & Juliet, which became one of the biggest hits in the Punjabi film industry. The award-winning film, directed by Anurag Singh, also featured actress Neeru Bajwa and was shot in Punjab & Mumbai in India and Vancouver, Canada.^[6] Dosanjh won the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Actor for the movie. He gave vocals to five of the seven songs in the soundtrack of the movie. The same year in November, he released his eight album, called Back 2 Basics, with nine tracks and the music composed by Tru-Skool. In January 2013, Dosanjh's third Punjabi film, Saadi Love Story hit the big screens. The film, that also starred Amrinder Gill and Surveen Chawla, flopped at the box office. Dosanjh sang for two songs in the movie's soundtrack, which was composed by Jaidev Kumar. Dosanjh made a guest appearance in the April 2013 Bollywood movie Bikkar Bai Sentimental with his track Main Fan Bhagat Singh Da. Inspired by the success of Jatt & Juliet, the producers of the movie released a sequel to the film, titled Jatt & Juliet 2, in June 2013. Dosanjh played the role of a cop in the movie. The film had nine songs in the soundtrack, of which four were sung by Dosanjh. He gave vocals for the track Main Taan Aidaan Hi Nachna from the soundtrack of Bollywood movie Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, which was released in June 2013. In August 2013, Dosanjh's music video Proper Patola was released on Vevo, making it the first Punjabi song to be featured on Vevo. The single, composed by Badshah, received over one million hits on YouTube just within a fortnight of its release. Dosanjh said in a statement, "I extend my thanks to all who have liked watching the song. I'm glad to live up to the expectations of all, and with their faith in me."^[7] Diljit is presently shooting for Punjabi movie, Disco Singh, which is expected to be released in early 2014. The movie, directed and written by Anurag Singh, also features Surveen Chawla and is shot in Delhi NCR.^[8] He is also working for the movie 1984 Punjab, which is set in the backdrop of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The film is expected to be released in July 2014 and is directed by Anurag Singh.^[9] Diljit has also got his film Mukhtiar Chadha in the pipeline.^[10]

Artistry

Musical style and influences

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,^[1] and his initial work reflected their style. His later collaboration with Honey Singh lend a different dimension to his music. He has taken influences from various music composers he has worked with - Jaidev Kumar, Sukhpal Sukh, Sachin Ahuja, Pavneet Birgi, Jassi Bros and Bhinda Aujla.

Public image

Dosanjh has a Sikh faith and has now become a vegetarian. He has been noted by his fans and media for his turban.

Videos, movies and stage

His live performances are described as "highly entertaining and innovative". For his music videos, he has worked with a wide range of directors like Rimpy Prince, Amarjit Satwant, Parmod Sharma Rana and Azeem I Parkar. He has been best appreciated for comic roles in the movies.

Philanthrophy

Besides his career in the entertainment industry, Dosanjh started an NGO called Saanjh Foundation focusing on underprivileged children and seniors, contributing to orphanages and old age homes. It also endeavors on 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 organization on his birthday in 2013.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Film Soundtrack

Punjabi

Hindi

Filmography

Films

Cameo in Special Appearances

Television

References

External links

• Review of "Soorma" - Diljit Dosanjh's first single in 2014
• 1984 Punjab
• Five things Dijit loves
• Interview with Diljit Dosanjh