New Delhi: Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh has said he is unfazed by criticism and negative publicity, asserting that he will continue working for as long as he chooses and will not allow detractors to dictate his career.
The 42-year-old singer made the remarks during an Instagram Live session hours after opening his Aura India tour with a concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi Friday. Addressing the criticism surrounding him, Dosanjh said he was aware of the comments being made by sections of the media and on social media but had no intention of responding to every allegation.
“I know a lot of people will make fun of me. Many news channels will also make fun of me and create negative energy. But no matter how much negative energy you create, I’m still here, baby. I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
Dosanjh added that he had been working for 25 years and would decide when to bring his career to an end. “I’ve been working here for 25 years. I’ll stop only when I want to. I won’t stop before that,” he said.
The singer clarified that his decision to remain silent on certain issues should not be interpreted as fear or an inability to defend himself. He said he was aware of what people said about him but did not consider every criticism worthy of a response.
“I don’t answer anyone’s questions, but that doesn’t mean I’m afraid of anyone or that I care about what anyone says. Nor does it mean that someone can stop me,” he said, adding that the people making such comments were not important to him.
The Delhi concert, the first of eight performances planned as part of his Aura India tour, had encountered uncertainty before it was held. Delhi Police had initially denied permission, citing security-related inputs and festive-season law and order commitments. The organisers later submitted a revised security, traffic and crowd-management plan, following which the concert received clearance.
Weather conditions also posed a challenge, with intermittent rain over two days leaving the stage wet. However, Dosanjh went ahead with the performance, which lasted more than two hours.
During the Instagram Live session, he also spoke about the difficulties his team faced while organising the Delhi show, though he chose not to disclose the details.
“I don’t want to say what the problems were. I do shows all over the world. There are always problems. But when the India show starts, problems start, especially for me. I don’t know why,” he said.
Dosanjh also thanked Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel for their arrangements at the venue. The concert marked his return to the national capital after two years.
“You made excellent arrangements and made it very easy for us to put on the show. Shout-out to Delhi Police and our young CRPF personnel. Thank you so much to all of you,” he said.
The Instagram Live session came after the singer made a series of remarks during Friday’s concert, addressing criticism over his position on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led student protest in July and the controversy surrounding his film Satluj.
“I love everyone because I’m an artist, bro,” he said, reiterating a statement he had made in July when questioned about the CJP protest, from which he had distanced himself.
His comments triggered criticism on social media, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also questioning his position. Dipke argued that artists should speak up on important issues, warning that remaining silent could put their films at risk of repeated bans. His remarks appeared to refer to the controversy surrounding Satluj.
Responding to the criticism during the concert, Dosanjh said he preferred to remain silent and reiterated that he supported everyone. He also urged people not to question the ability of Punjabis to fight for causes they believed in.
“I am being quiet, so let me stay quiet. I support all of you. Don’t teach Punjabis how to fight battles,” he said.
Referring to Satluj, in which he portrays human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, Dosanjh said his team had fought for a long time to bring the film to audiences. He added that he continued to believe in love and would not respond to hostility with hatred.
Earlier titled Punjab ’95, the film depicts Khalra’s efforts to document alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. After facing a prolonged delay in securing a release, it premiered on ZEE5 in July this year but was taken down within two days.
Dosanjh’s public statements and professional choices have repeatedly drawn attention and sparked debate. His support for the farmers’ protest in 2020 attracted criticism on social media, with some accusing him of being anti-national. The singer later spoke about the backlash and legal trouble he said he had faced over his support for the movement.
In January 2025, he faced another round of criticism after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some farm leaders questioned whether the meeting was consistent with his earlier support for the farmers’ movement.
Later in 2025, his decision to cast Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3 also attracted criticism from film bodies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Dosanjh maintained that the film had been shot before the attack and subsequently released it in overseas markets.
Despite the controversies, Dosanjh’s international profile has continued to expand, with the singer taking Punjabi music to audiences across the world. In 2023, he became the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The following year, he made his US television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
He has also collaborated with international artistes, including British singer Ed Sheeran and Sia, and shared the stage with Sheeran at concerts. At the 2025 Met Gala, Dosanjh drew attention to his Punjabi and Sikh heritage through an outfit inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
Alongside his music career, Dosanjh has continued to explore different roles in the Hindi film industry, balancing mainstream entertainers with films based on complex social and historical themes. His acting credits include Udta Punjab, Jogi and Amar Singh Chamkila, reflecting his interest in stories that extend beyond conventional commercial cinema.
