Diljit Dosanjh recalls performing at weddings for Rs 5,000 before stardom
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has reflected on his financial struggles before fame, revealing he accepted wedding and birthday party gigs for as little as Rs 5,000. The singer-actor also recalled growing up in poverty, saying his family often couldn't afford medical treatment.
As Main Vaapas Aaunga continues its successful run in theatres, Diljit Dosanjh has opened up about the struggles that defined his early years. The singer-actor revealed that growing up, his family couldn't even afford medical treatment at times, and shared how accepting birthday party and wedding gigs helped him carve a path to success.
Speaking during an interview on Q with Tom Power, Diljit reflected on how his childhood hardships shaped his outlook on life and motivated him to work tirelessly. He said there were times when his family was so financially constrained that falling sick was a luxury they simply could not afford.
After releasing his debut album in 2002, Diljit realised that live performances would become his biggest source of income. Though he was initially hesitant about performing at birthday parties and weddings, he soon understood the financial opportunities they offered.
“It’s amazing. There’s so much money in that field," he said.
Recalling the early days of his career, Diljit said that after his debut album was released in 2002, a few people approached his company to book him for birthday party performances. Although he was not interested in singing at such events initially, he accepted the offers because he was under contract. He added that he soon realised album sales alone would not provide financial stability, and receiving payment for those performances convinced him that live gigs were the way forward.
He added, “I didn’t say no to anybody. If someone offered Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000, I said yes. I didn’t say no to anybody. I went everywhere day and night."
Diljit said his willingness to perform wherever work was available was driven by his desire to overcome the financial struggles he experienced growing up. He explained that becoming "rich and famous" was not just a dream but a necessity born out of his circumstances.
The singer also revealed why he eventually stopped performing at weddings. According to him, some senior artistes in the Punjabi music industry looked down on those performances and implied that he was only suited for that circuit. Rather than letting those remarks define him, Diljit decided to focus on organising his own concerts.
Looking back at his childhood, Diljit said, “Because I came from a poor family. It was like a below-average family. If you got sick, you wouldn’t have money to go to the doctor, so don’t get sick because you don’t have money," he recalled.
On the work front, Diljit was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga, which also starred Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina and Sharvari. The film was released in theatres on June 12.