Who am I? Our ‘Who am I?’ Series today: Son of a roadways ticket checker, this 10th pass singer started with a salary of Rs 2,000 and now sells out concerts. Can you guess who it is?
This is Punjabi and Hindi cinema superstar Diljit Singh Dosanjh. Born on 6 January 1984 in Dosanjh Kalan village, Jalandhar, Punjab, his real name was Daljeet. His father, Balbir Singh, worked as a Punjab Roadways ticket checker, while his mother, Sukhwinder, was a housewife. Growing up in a family of modest means, Diljit struggled in school and completed only Class 10 in Ludhiana.
musical debut
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He early discovered his love for music by taking training in Indian classical music and performing kirtan at a local Gurudwara. As his voice was appreciated, he started singing at weddings and functions. In 2004, he released his first album, Ishq Da Uda Adda and changed his name from Daljeet to Diljeet.
Achieved fame in Punjabi and Bollywood films
His acting debut was in the 2011 Punjabi film The Lion of Punjab. Although the film flopped, one of his songs topped the BBC Asian Download Chart, the first time that a non-Bollywood singer achieved this feat. She entered Bollywood in 2016 with Udta Punjab, followed by films like Phillauri, Soorma, Arjun Patiala, Good News and Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari.
Achievements and global recognition
Diljit has become so famous that London’s Madame Tussauds museum created a wax statue in his honor and he gained global attention after his debut at the Met Gala.
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childhood struggle
Recently in Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, he shared the challenges of his childhood. He revealed that he was sent to his maternal uncle’s house at the age of 10 or 11 and was able to meet his parents only every few months. About his father, Diljit said:
“My father worked in a government job; he was a ticket checker in the roadways. He was like a saint who lived a very simple life. He didn’t have many desires, just a bicycle and he loved mangoes. He once told me, ‘Son, you will get bread to eat, a house to live in, whatever else you want to do in life, you can do it yourself. What more could I ask for.’ from him? I love him very much.”
From Rs 2,000 payday to sold-out concerts
Diljit also talked about his early music earnings:
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“After my first album was released, someone came to book me for a birthday party, and we performed there. After that, money started coming in, and it felt good because my father’s salary used to end early in the month. So I realized that this work pays well, and God is kind. After that, whoever came to our office, we never let him go empty-handed. Be it a wedding, a birthday or any function, we performed. We made from Rs 2,000 per show. Started and performed countless marriages.”
From humble beginnings, Diljit Dosanjh rose from Rs 2,000 gigs to sold-out concerts, and became one of India’s most celebrated singers and actors, all the while proudly maintaining his identity and roots.