Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh
Native name	ਦਿਲਜੀਤ ਦੁਸਾਂਝ
Birth name	Daljit Singh Dosanjh
Born	Dosanjh Kalan, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Genres	Punjabi
Occupation(s)	Singer Actor Television Presenter Philanthropist
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Dharam Seva, Speed Records
Associated acts	Sukshinder Shinda, Gupsy Aujla, Nick Dhammu, Honey Singh, Dr Zeus, Gippy Grewal & Nachhatar Gill
Website	www.iamdiljitdosanjh.com

Diljit Dosanjh is an Indian Punjabi singer, actor and television presenter. 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, with many of them being noticeable hits, including 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 Finetone Cassettes.^[1]

Life and career

1984–2000: Early life and beginnings

Diljit Dosanjh was born in Dosanjh Kalan, a village in Jalandhar district in Punjab, 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. 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.^[2] 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 Yo Yo 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 Yo Yo 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 Diljit 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 shot for his next Punjabi movie, Disco Singh, which was released on 11 April 2014. The movie, directed and written by Anurag Singh, also features Surveen Chawla and is shot in Delhi NCR.^[8] In 2014, he worked for the movie Punjab 1984, which is set in the backdrop of 1984-86 Punjab insurgency. The film was released on 27 June 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,^[2] 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.

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.

Filmography

Albums

Year	Title	Notes
2000	Ishq Da Uda Ada
2004	Dil
2005	Smile
2006	Ishq Ho Gaya
2008	Chocolate
2009	The Next Level
2012	Sikh	Non-traditional Religious Album
2012	Urban Pendu	Album Cancelled
2012	Back 2 Basics	PTC Punjabi Music Award for Best Pop Vocalist(Male) for song Kharku PTC Punjabi Music Award for Best Bhangra Song of the Year for song Kharku BritAsiaTV Music Award for Best International Act BritAsiaTV Music Award for Best Album BritAsiaTV Music Award for Best Bhangra Single for song Kharku
2013	Sikh 2	Non-traditional Religious Album

Singles

Year	Title	Notes
2009	Nachdi De ft. Miss Pooja	From Album The Power Of Duets
2009	Bhagat Singh ft. Yo Yo Honey Singh
2009	Dance With Me ft. Yo Yo Honey Singh
2009	Jatt Bukda Firre	From Album 2009 Vich No Tension
2010	Main, Me & Myself ft. Yo Yo Honey Singh
2010	Dubb Ch Revalver	From Album Ral Bhangra Payiye
2011	Chustiyan
2011	Catty Eyes
2011	Goliyan ft. Yo Yo Honey Singh	From Album International Villager
2012	Miss Lonely Ft. Ikka	Music: JSL Singh
2012	Bodyguard - Gaddafi Song	From Album Bhangra Paa Mittra
2013	Proper Patola ft. Badshah	PTC Punjabi Music Award for Best Pop Vocalist (Male) PTC Punjabi Music Award for Most Popular Song of the Year PTC Punjabi Music Award for Best Music Video (First Punjabi Song on vevo)
2013	ELTT - The Judai Song	Music: JSL Singh
2014	Soorma	Music: Sachin Ahuja
2014	RayBan	Music; Millind Gaba
2014	Work Of Warriors	Dharam Seva Records
2014	Selfie
2014	This Singh is so Stylish Ft. Ikka	MTV Spoken Word
2014	Holla Holla	Music : Millind Gaba
2014	Patiala Peg	Music: Nick Dhammu
2014	Singh Naal Jodi	From Album Collaborations 3
2015	Ishq Hazir Hai	Music: Mickey Singh
2015	Jatt Fire Karda
2015	Faiz-E-Noor

Film soundtrack

Punjabi

Year	Title	Notes
2010	Mel Karade Rabba
2011	The Lion of Punjab
2011	Dharti
2011	Jihne Mera Dil Luteya
2012	Jatt & Juliet
2013	Saadi Love Story
2013	Bikkar Bai Sentimental
2013	Jatt & Juliet 2
2014	Disco Singh
2014	Punjab 1984	Mirchi Music Award for Film Album of the Year Mirchi Music Award for Listeners’ Choice Film Album of the Year Mirchi Music Award for Listeners’ Choice Film Song of the Year: Swaah Ban Ke
2015	Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe
2015	Ishq Haazir Hai

Hindi

Year	Title	Notes
2012	Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya	Special Appearance in Pee Pa Pee Pa Ho Gaya
2013	Mere Dad Ki Maruti	Title Track
2013	Yamla Pagla Deewana 2	Main Taan Aidaan Hi Nachna

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2011	The Lion of Punjab	Avtar Singh
2011	Jihne Mera Dil Luteya	Gurnoor
2012	Jatt & Juliet	Fateh Singh
2013	Saadi Love Story	Rajveer / Billa
2013	Jatt & Juliet 2	Head Constable/Inspector Fateh Singh
2014	Disco Singh	Laatoo
2014	Punjab 1984	Shivjeet Singh Mann
2015	Ishq Hazir Hai	Yuvraaj	Short Film
2015	Mukhtiar Chadha[11]	Mukhtiar Chadha	Pre-production
2015	Sardaar Ji	Jagi[12]	with Mandy Takhar and Neeru Bajwa[13]
2015	Udta Punjab	TBA	First Bollywood Movie With Kareena Kapoor , Shahid Kapoor , Alia Bhatt
2015	Singh is Bling	TBA	With Akshay Kumar

Cameo in special appearances

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	Mel Karade Rabba	Rajveer Dhillon
2012	Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya (Hindi)	Himself	Special appearance in song Pee Pa Pee Pa
2013	Bikkar Bai Sentimental	Himself	Special appearance in song Main Fan Bhagat Singh Da
2015	Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe	Himself	Special Appearance in song Sunn Ve Poorna

Television

As a television presenter

Year	Title	Role
2010	Awaaz Punjab Di	Co-host with Divya Dutta
2012	PTC Punjabi Music Awards 2012	Co-host with Master Saleem
2012	PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2012	Co-host with Gulshan Grover
2013	PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2013	Co-host with Kapil Sharma
2014	PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2014	Co-host with Binnu Dhillon and Arjan Bajwa
2015	PTC Punjabi Film Awards 2015	Co-host with Binnu Dhillon and Sonu Sood

As a guest

Year	Title
2012	Voice of Punjab
2014	Comedy Nights with Kapil

Film Awards

PTC Punjabi Film Awards

Won

• 2012 Best Actor - Jihne Mera Dil Luteya as Gurnoor Singh
• 2013 Best Actor - Jatt & Juliet as Fateh Singh
• 2014 Best Actor - Jatt & Juliet 2 as Head Constable/Inspector Fateh Singh
• 2015 Best Actor - Punjab 1984 as Shivjeet Singh Mann (aka) Shiva

Lost

• 2012 Best Newcomer Male - The Lion of Punjab as Avtar Singh
• 2012 Best Actor - The Lion of Punjab as Avtar Singh
• 2015 Best Actor - Disco Singh as Lattu Singh

References