Diljit Dosanjh, mononymously as Diljit, is an Indian singer-songwriter, actor, film producer and television personality. He works in Punjabi Music and subsequently in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. Dosanjh entered Social 50 chart by Billboard in 2020. He is featured in various music charts including Canadian Albums Chart, UK Asian chart by Official Charts Company and New Zealand Hot Singles. His movies, including Jatt & Juliet 2, Punjab 1984, Sajjan Singh Rangroot and Honsla Rakh are among the highest grossing Punjabi films in history.

Hailing from Dosanjh Kalan, Jalandhar, Dosanjh started in 2002 and gained recognition in punjabi music with his album ‘Smile’(2005) and ‘Chocolate’(2008) followed by ‘The Next Level’(2009) with Yo Yo Honey Singh. Subsequently he pursued his acting, starring in debut punjabi movie The Lion of Punjab in 2011.

Early life

Diljit Dosanjh was born on 6 January 1984 to a Sikh family in the village of Dosanjh Kalan in Phillaur tehsil, Jalandhar district, Punjab, India. His father, Balbir Singh, is a former employee of Punjab Roadways and his mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, is a homemaker. He has two siblings, one elder sister and one younger brother. He spent his early childhood in Dosanjh Kalan and then moved to Ludhiana, Punjab from where he completed his formal education, including graduating high school from Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School. While still in school, he began his singing career by performing Kirtan (Sikh religious music) at local gurdwaras. Diljit Singh and his family then moved to Ludhiana and currently living there.

Career

2003–2004: Ishq Da Uda Ada and DIL 

Diljit released his first album Ishq Da Uda Ada in 2004 with Finetone Cassettes, a division of T-Series. Rajinder Singh of Finetone, who helped Dosanjh make a debut in the Punjabi music industry, suggested to him to spell his first name as Diljit instead of Daljit. The music was composed by Bablu Mahindra and the lyrics were written by Balvir Boparai. Dosanjh gave vocals to all the eight tracks and the producers made a music video for the title track of the album. In 2004, his second album Dil was released, which was again with Finetone Cassettes.

2004–2010: More albums and singles

Dosanjh's popularity soared with the release of his third album, Smile, produced by Sukhpal Sukh, which included the tracks "Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan" and "Paggan Pochviyan Wale." The album was released by Finetone Cassettes in 2005. His next album Ishq Ho Gaya was released in 2006 by Finetone Cassettes. His fifth album, titled Chocolate, came out in 2008. In 2009, Dosanjh released four different singles – "Bhagat Singh," "No Tension," "Power of Duets" and "Dance with Me." Next year, Dosanjh released his sixth album called The Next Level with nine tracks. Dosanjh gave his next song in 2010 for Mel Karade Rabba: Original Soundtrack. The track was lip-synced by the actor Jimmy Shergill and was included in the feature film of the same name during the opening credits.

2011–2012: Entry into Punjabi films and Lak 28 Kudi Da

2011 saw Dosanjh's entry into mainstream Punjabi films. His debut film in the lead role The Lion of Punjab, was released in February 2011. Though the film flopped at the box office, his track "Lak 28 Kudi Da," from the films's soundtrack, was a major success. The track, featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh, reached number 1 on The Official Asian Download Chart in USA published by the BBC. In July 2011, his second Punjabi film Jihne Mera Dil Luteya was released. The film, also featuring Gippy Grewal and Neeru Bajwa, did good business. Dosanjh gave vocals to six of the twelve tracks in the film's soundtrack. In November the same year, Diljit announced that he won't release his controversial album Urban Pendu, that included the single "15 Saal." That single, featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh, talked about the promiscuous behaviour of underage girls and their indulgence in alcohol, drugs and tattoos. He wrote on his Facebook page: “It was not my intention to hurt anyone's sentiments. I apologize to my fans who were waiting for this song.” Dosanjh wore a T-shirt with the words "Urban Pendu" printed on it in the music video of his 2013 hit single Proper Patola as a remembrance of that track and album. Dosanjh also released three different singles in 2011 – "Catty Eyes," "Dharti" and "Chustiyan."

Philanthropy

Dosanjh started an NGO called Saanjh Foundation focusing on underprivileged children and seniors, contributing to orphanages and old age homes. It also endeavours youth empowerment with issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring, and career development. It takes its name from the second part of Dosanjh's last name, which loosely translated means "amity". He launched this organisation on his birthday in 2013.

Discography

DIL (2002)
Ishq Da Uda Aada (2002)
Haysha (UK) (2004)
Smile (India & Canada)
Over Exposure (UK) (2005)
Ishq Ho Gaya (2008)
Chocolate (2008)
The Next Level (2009)
Sikh (2012)
Back 2 Basics (2012)
CON.FI.DEN.TIAL (2018)
Roar (2018)
G.O.A.T. (2020)
MoonChild Era (2021)

Filmography

Films

Punjabi films

Hindi films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2012	Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya	Himself	Special appearance in song "Pee Pa Pee Pa"
2016	Udta Punjab	Sartaaj Singh	Debut Film
2017	Phillauri	Roop Lal Phillauri
2018	Welcome to New York	Teji
	Soorma	Sandeep Singh
2019	Arjun Patiala	Arjun Patiala
	Good Newwz	Honey Batra
2020	Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari	Suraj
2022	Jogi	Joginder "Jogi" Singh
2024	Chamkila	Amar Singh Chamkila	Filming
	The Crew	TBA	Filming

Television

Awards and nominations