New Delhi, Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh says he is aware of all the "negative energy" being created around him but isn't scared of criticism. In an Instagram Live session hours after opening his Aura India tour with a concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday, the 42-year-old singer said he will continue to work for as long as he wants. "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. "I've been working here for 25 years. I'll stop only when I want to. I won't stop before that," he added. The singer said his decision not to respond to every criticism should not be mistaken for fear or an indication that he could be stopped from pursuing his work. Live Events You Might Also Like: "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. "I know what people say about me, but I don't want to say anything to anyone because it isn't important to me. Those people aren't important to me," he added. The Delhi concert, the first of his eight performances as part of the tour, had faced uncertainty a week before it was scheduled to happen. Delhi Police had initially denied permission citing security-related inputs and festive-season law and order commitments. Organisers subsequently submitted a revised security, traffic and crowd-management plan, following which clearance was granted. You Might Also Like: Rain also threatened to play spoilsport, with the stage still wet after two days of intermittent showers but Dosanjh went ahead with the power-packed performance, which lasted over two hours. Dosanjh spoke about the difficulties his team encountered while organising the Delhi concert. "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. The singer also thanked Delhi Police and CRPF personnel for their arrangements at the concert, which 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 followed a series of remarks by Dosanjh during Friday's concert, where he addressed 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 pointedly, repeating his statement from July, when he was asked about the CJP protest from which he had distanced himself. His comments drew widespread criticism on social media, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticising his stance, saying it was important for artists to speak up on pertinent issues or risk having their films repeatedly banned, in an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding Dosanjh's film "Satluj". Responding to the criticism, Dosanjh said, "I am being quiet, so let me stay quiet. I support all of you. Don't teach Punjabis how to fight battles. The film you were making fun of from stage -- Jaswant Singh Khalra ji's film ('Satluj'). We fought for a very long time for that film. I stay quiet, I love everyone. If someone hates us, no problem. From our side it's only love for everyone." The film, earlier titled "Punjab '95", saw Dosanjh portray Khalra, who documented alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. After facing a prolonged wait for release, it premiered on ZEE5 in July this year but was taken down within two days. Dosanjh's public positions have frequently placed him at the centre of debate. His support for the farmers' protest in 2020 drew criticism on social media, with some branding him anti-national. He later spoke about the backlash and legal trouble he said he faced over his support for the movement. In January 2025, he also faced criticism after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some farm leaders questioning his support for the farmers' movement. Later that year, his decision to cast Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in "Sardaar Ji 3" drew backlash from film bodies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Dosanjh said the film was shot before the attack and he later released it in overseas territories. Despite the controversies, Dosanjh's international profile has continued to grow, with the singer taking Punjabi music to audiences across the world. He became the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 and made his US television debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2024. He has collaborated with international artistes, including British singer Ed Sheeran and Sia, and performed alongside Sheeran at concerts. At the 2025 Met Gala, Dosanjh used the global fashion platform to showcase his Punjabi and Sikh heritage, wearing an ensemble inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. As an actor, he has balanced mainstream commercial entertainers with films exploring complex social and historical themes, including "Udta Punjab", "Jogi" and "Amar Singh Chamkila". Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Diljit Dosanjh says not afraid of critics
New Delhi, Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh says he is aware of all the "negative energy" being created around him but isn't scared of criticism.In an Instagram Live session hours after opening his Aura India tour with a concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday, the 42-year-old singer said he will continue to work for as long as he wants."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."I've been working here for 25 years. I'll stop only when I want to. I won't stop before that," he added.The singer said his decision not to respond to every criticism should not be mistaken for fear or an indication that he could be stopped from pursuing his work."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."I know what people say about me, but I don't want to say anything to anyone because it isn't important to me. Those people aren't important to me," he added.The Delhi concert, the first of his eight performances as part of the tour, had faced uncertainty a week before it was scheduled to happen.Delhi Police had initially denied permission citing security-related inputs and festive-season law and order commitments. Organisers subsequently submitted a revised security, traffic and crowd-management plan, following which clearance was granted.Rain also threatened to play spoilsport, with the stage still wet after two days of intermittent showers but Dosanjh went ahead with the power-packed performance, which lasted over two hours.Dosanjh spoke about the difficulties his team encountered while organising the Delhi concert."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.The singer also thanked Delhi Police and CRPF personnel for their arrangements at the concert, which 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 followed a series of remarks by Dosanjh during Friday's concert, where he addressed 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 pointedly, repeating his statement from July, when he was asked about the CJP protest from which he had distanced himself.His comments drew widespread criticism on social media, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticising his stance, saying it was important for artists to speak up on pertinent issues or risk having their films repeatedly banned, in an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding Dosanjh's film "Satluj".Responding to the criticism, Dosanjh said, "I am being quiet, so let me stay quiet. I support all of you. Don't teach Punjabis how to fight battles. The film you were making fun of from stage -- Jaswant Singh Khalra ji's film ('Satluj'). We fought for a very long time for that film. I stay quiet, I love everyone. If someone hates us, no problem. From our side it's only love for everyone."The film, earlier titled "Punjab '95", saw Dosanjh portray Khalra, who documented alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. After facing a prolonged wait for release, it premiered on ZEE5 in July this year but was taken down within two days.Dosanjh's public positions have frequently placed him at the centre of debate.His support for the farmers' protest in 2020 drew criticism on social media, with some branding him anti-national. He later spoke about the backlash and legal trouble he said he faced over his support for the movement.In January 2025, he also faced criticism after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some farm leaders questioning his support for the farmers' movement.Later that year, his decision to cast Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in "Sardaar Ji 3" drew backlash from film bodies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Dosanjh said the film was shot before the attack and he later released it in overseas territories.Despite the controversies, Dosanjh's international profile has continued to grow, with the singer taking Punjabi music to audiences across the world.He became the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 and made his US television debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2024.He has collaborated with international artistes, including British singer Ed Sheeran and Sia, and performed alongside Sheeran at concerts. At the 2025 Met Gala, Dosanjh used the global fashion platform to showcase his Punjabi and Sikh heritage, wearing an ensemble inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.As an actor, he has balanced mainstream commercial entertainers with films exploring complex social and historical themes, including "Udta Punjab", "Jogi" and "Amar Singh Chamkila".
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