Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh has hit back at a news anchor who targeted him over the use of lyrics related to alcohol in his songs. In a lengthy video posted on Instagram, Diljit addressed the audience of Lucknow, saying that if singers are asked to censor their songs, then the rules should apply to Indian films as well.
Diljit hits back
Diljit specifically called out the anchor who challenged him to make a hit song without mentioning alcohol. “For your kind information, sir, Born To Shine, GOAT, Lover, Kinni Kinni, and Naina, there are a lot of songs which are streamed more on Spotify than Patiala Peg. So, your challenge doesn’t count since I’ve many songs which are bigger hits than Patiala Peg,” Diljit said.
The singer also questioned why Indian films, which often feature scenes of violence and alcohol consumption, are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as songs. “I am not defending my songs or myself. Main sirf itna chahta hoon ke agar aap censorship lagana chahte ho gaano pe toh woh censorship Bhartiya cinema pe bhi hona chahiye. Right? Bhartiya cinema mein toh jitni badi gun utna bada hero. Kausa bada actor hai jisen sharab ka gaana ya scene nahi kiya? Hai koi? Yaad araha hai? Mere ko toh koi yaad nahi araha. Toh agar aapne censorship lagana hai toh please sab pe lagao (I just want that if you want to censor songs, then the censorship should be applied to Indian cinema too. In Indian films, the bigger the gun, the bigger the hero. Which big actor has not done a song on alcohol or similar scene? Is there anyone? I can’t remember. So if you want to apply censorship, then do it on everyone).”
Diljit also pointed out that artists are often soft targets for criticism, and that his own work has been recognised with National Awards. “Kalakar aapko soft target lagte hai. Isiliye jo gaane waale singer hai usko aap chedte ho. But sir for your kind information maine jo filmein ki hai unko National Award bhi mila hai meri film ko. To humara kaam sasta kaam nahi hai (Artists are soft targets for you. So you create trouble for singers. The films that I’ve done have been honoured with National Awards. So my work isn’t cheap).”
The controversy began when the state government sent Diljit a notice directing him to avoid songs related to alcohol, drugs, and violence during his Hyderabad show. Since his Ahmedabad concert, Diljit has been calling out the double standard in targeting musicians.
