November 18, 2024: Diljit Dosanjh’s recent response to the Telangana government’s notice regarding his performances is a blend of humor, defiance, and wit, which he has become known for. During his concert in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, he responded to the government’s directive to avoid songs promoting alcohol, drugs, and violence with his trademark comedic style.
The controversy began when the Telangana government issued a notice to Diljit, following a complaint about his previous concerts where songs like Patiala Peg and Panchatara were allegedly promoting alcohol and violence. The notice, which came just hours before his performance in Hyderabad, warned him against repeating such performances and also advised organizers to avoid involving children due to safety concerns, such as loud noises and strobe lights.
At his Gujarat concert, Diljit addressed the situation humorously, saying, “Declare a dry day wherever my shows are, and I’ll refrain from alcohol-related songs. It’s easy for me to tweak my lyrics.” He went on to say, “If all the states declare themselves as dry states, the very next day Diljit Dosanjh will not sing a song about alcohol. I vow to do this.” This statement was met with laughter and applause from the audience, highlighting his ability to handle the situation with a lighthearted touch.
Diljit continued to poke fun at the issue by offering a more creative solution: “Wherever my shows are, declare a dry day for just one day, and I won’t sing a song about alcohol. For me, tweaking my songs is very easy.” He also mentioned that he didn’t receive any notice that day, adding, “I still won’t sing any alcohol-related songs because Gujarat is a dry state,” further acknowledging the region’s strict prohibition laws.
At the same time, Diljit took a jibe at Bollywood, which often features songs about alcohol, while only a few of his tracks touch on the theme. He joked about the focus on his alcohol-themed songs like Patiala Peg, saying that even though he had recently performed devotional songs, people continued to discuss only his tracks related to drinking.
The singer even went so far as to tweak his lyrics during his performances. For example, in Lemonade, he changed the line “Tainu teri ‘daaru’ ch pasand aa Lemonade” (You like your lemonade with alcohol) to “Tainu teri ‘coke’ ch pasand aa Lemonade” (You like your lemonade with coke). Similarly, in 5 Taara, the lyrics “5 Taara thekke utthe” (Five stars liquor shop) were altered to “5 Taara ‘hotel’ ch” (Five stars hotel), effectively sidestepping the controversy while maintaining the essence of the songs.
While addressing the public, Diljit also discussed the challenges of ticket sales, responding to rumors that people couldn’t understand how his large concerts were selling out so quickly. He humorously reminded everyone that his success was not an overnight phenomenon: “Bro, I’ve been working hard for a long time. I didn’t become famous overnight.”
Furthermore, he took a moment to raise awareness about cybercrime, encouraging fans to be cautious of online fraud and promoting the Telangana government’s helpline number 1930 for reporting such incidents. He also mentioned that the government was working on measures to prevent the resale of concert tickets, an issue that has caused concerns among fans.
Diljit’s remarks during the Dil-Luminati Tour have sparked strong reactions online, with fans appreciating his quick wit and the way he handled the situation. Despite the controversy, his popularity continues to soar, and his ability to turn a potentially tense situation into a viral moment only adds to his charm.
