Diljit Dosanjh, whose new film Shadaa has hit the theatres, remains rooted in his humble origins, says Saimi Sattar
Like his name, Diljit (winner of hearts), there is a certain good-heartedness that permeates the persona of Diljit Dosanjh. Whether it is the characters he plays or even if he is a part of a show like Koffee with Karan where tongue-in-cheek humour is the norm, the singer-turned-actor does not waver from the script that he seems to have written for his real-life character. “I can do negative roles if the story demands. But there is a belief, which I heard and saw while growing up, that with people who wear a turban, a person is mehfooz (safe). They are not thieves. Since I tie a turban, it is a responsibility to make sure that I don’t do anything negative,” he says dressed in a simple crisp white kurta pyjama and a black waistcoat, wearing his Sikhism effortlessly. There is no inkling of his love of fashion brands like Gucci or Dolce and Gabbana and more.
When I ask him about his love for brands, (rapper Badshah lost to him on Koffee with Karan when identifying brands based on a peek at an item of cloth) he points out, “I like to get dressed. Who doesn’t? I try all brands not focus on just one. I like something from one and another thing from a different one.” Diljit is in the city to promote Shadaa, his latest Punjabi film which released yesterday. His co-star in the film Neeru Bajwa, with whom he has starred in several hits like Jinhe Mera dil Luteya, Jatt & Juliet and more, accompanies him.
Talking about the film, the idea of which came from him, Diljit says, “I was thinking about the topics that have not been touched upon in Punjab. So I realised that a film on shadaa had not been made. It has been touched upon but an entire film hasn’t been attempted before. I discussed the idea with my writer and director, Jagdeep Sidhu, who developed the story.”
So when one asks what a shadaa is, Diljit says, “There is no equivalent in Hindi or English for the term. A bachelor is something different as a shadaa is someone who is above 30 and not married, even though he wants to. People often taunt them but they do not reply because they are our own people. People might say stuff like ‘tera vyah nahin hua. UP se koi mil jaegi.’ All these things have been touched upon in an entertaining way. Every second scene is that of a wedding as my character is that of a wedding photographer. The irony is that he himself is unmarried even though he is surrounded by weddings.” The film has been given a U-certificate, points out Diljit, which is a rarity these days. “It is usually U/A certification that most films get these days. Children can also watch the film,” he adds.
One interesting thing about the film is that it features a doll which is named Kylie Jenner, Diljit’s real-life crush. He is known to follow her closely on Instagram and comment on her photographs. He says, “When we were brainstorming for the name of the doll, Jagdeep suggested that we name her Kylie. I was more than happy to share screen space with her,” he says.
For choosing any role, Diljit looks at the script and follows his heart. “If my heart says, do it, I do so. Else I don’t,” he says.
Diljit has spread his wings and besides Punjabi, he has been a part of Hindi films like Udta Punjab (2016), Phillauri (2017), Welcome to New York (2018) and Soorma (2018). He will also be seen in Arjun Patiala and Good News this year. Having worked in both industries, he says that the only difference is that of the money. “Since Hindi is spoken and heard all over the country, the films get more screens and more prints and that is why they do more business,” he says.
As soon as I mention content, wanting to talk of the diversity that can be seen in the regional fare, he immediately replies, “We are not behind as far as content is concerned. When you talk of regional cinema, it is focussing on a particular region and so is more nuanced. The film is made at the same level as a Hindi one despite the limitations of money. We try to make good films,” he insists.
He also points out that, “It is a good time to be in the industry as this is a great phase. Last year, the films that worked in Bollywood and did good business were on the basis of content. Initially, they didn’t have big openings but it was by word of mouth that they gradually picked up and made a mark. Content is the hero now.”
Another trend that has been noticed is the way small town stories are coming to the fore. “These are connected and earthy. In larger cities, there is Westernisation and urbanisation, which are not rooted in our culture. People feel more connected to small towns, villages and grassroots as those are the places we are rooted. Whether it is our parents or grandparents, they come from there. None of us can say we are hosh posh,” he says, looking at the people who have just walked into the conference room.
It was music that hooked Diljit initially. “I started with playing the tabla at shabad. The rest happened on their own. I liked Punjabi songs as well. I played tabla and sang in school. I did train to sing. Rhythm is important, more than even sur because if that is off, the song sounds terrible,” he says.
Diljit does not have any connection in the film industry and made it big on his own strength but continues to be rooted. He says, “I did have some problems, which is but natural if you don’t know anyone in films or in singing. But it is not impossible as it is not as if no one has done it before.”
However, what helped him was support from his family. “They never forced me to do anything or told me that I was wasting my time. There are of course, people who do it without family support and I think them achieving something is even more amazing,” he says.
The actor is zooming on the highway to success and clearly he prefers to steer on the straight and narrow one.
