Punjabi singer and global icon Diljit Dosanjh, the first Indian musician to perform on The Tonight Show, continues to captivate audiences with his 2024 Dil-Luminati Tour, which has been a massive success worldwide. Despite sold-out shows and immense fan support, the tour has faced some challenges, especially with government advisories restricting his playlist. During his Mumbai concert, Diljit addressed these restrictions and took a subtle jab at Bollywood music.
Diljit Speaks on Maharashtra Government’s Advisory
Performing in Mumbai on December 19, 2024, Diljit began his concert by addressing his fans about a notice issued by the Maharashtra government. Similar to advisories received in Telangana, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh, this notice directed the singer to exclude songs referencing drugs, alcohol, and violence.
Diljit lightened the situation by narrating a mythological story. His speech included a reference to the Samudramanthan tale, highlighting how Lord Shiva consumed poison but kept it in his throat rather than letting it affect him internally. In his own words:
“Maine poocha koi advisory toh nahi jaari ho gayi apni team se, unhoney bola nahi nahi sab theek hai. Aaj utha subha toh pata chala advisory jaari ho gayi hai bhai. Aap fikar nahi karey, saari advisory mere upar, aap jitna mazza karney aaye hai mai double mazza dunga. Aaj subha jab yoga kar raha tha toh ek khayal aaya man mei. Aaj k show ki shuruaat uskey saath karta hu. Jab sagarmanthan hua tha na, saarag manthan toh jo amrit tha na vo toh Devta ne piya lekin jo vish tha, jo zeher tha jo Shiv ne piya. Aur Shivji bhi vo zeher apney andar nahi lekar gaye. Unhoney apney kanth tak rakha. Toh mujhe toh yehi seekhney ko mila ki zindagi aur duniya aap par jitna marzi zeher phekey aap usko apney andar mat lekar jana.”
He reassured his fans, promising a concert filled with double the fun, despite the imposed restrictions.
A Subtle Dig at Bollywood Music
In another part of his speech, Diljit highlighted Mumbai as the center of the Hindi film industry and commented on Bollywood’s frequent use of alcohol-themed songs. Without naming any artists or songs, he subtly pointed out the irony of being restricted while Bollywood’s music often glorifies similar themes.
He said:
“Ye toh Mumbai hai, Mumbai right? Yahan toh badey gaane hai sharab par badey gaane. Mai waise kisi artist ka naam lena nahi chahata unkey gaano ka naam nahi lena chahata. Na waisa mere mann mei hai na mai waisa kuch kehna chahata hu. Aap logon ko zaada pata hai. Lekin mere gaano ki awaaz aajkal sabse zaada hai.“
Diljit’s Message to Fans
Despite the challenges, Diljit’s focus remained on ensuring his fans had an unforgettable experience. His Mumbai concert stood as a testament to his resilience and commitment to entertaining his audience, regardless of obstacles.
What are your thoughts on Diljit Dosanjh’s take on Bollywood music and his approach to handling restrictions? Share your views!
