The year 2024 was nothing short of monumental for Punjabi actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh. From his appearances on international talk shows to global musical collaborations, sold-out concerts, and the phenomenal success of Amar Singh Chamkilathe multitalented star cemented his status as a global icon. However, his meteoric rise was accompanied by its share of challenges, particularly the advisories he received to avoid singing songs referencing alcohol and violence.
Diljit complied with these directives during his concerts by altering the lyrics but made his stance clear, saying, “If all states ban liquor consumption, I will never sing a song about alcohol in my entire life…”
His statement resonated with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singhwho recently voiced his solidarity in an interview with India Today. Calling out the hypocrisy of states issuing such advisories while profiting from liquor sales, Honey remarked, “They aren’t shutting down liquor stores. Let them make it a dry state, and make India a dry country. Then we can have a conversation about all this.”
Honey Singh further expressed support for a campaign advocating an alcohol-free country, despite the irony of many of his own songs referencing alcohol. Notably, the rapper has quit drinking and humorously suggested, “We’ll sing a song about lassi, about chhaas, about jal jeera. You know, something similar.”
When asked how he would adapt his hit track Char Bottle Vodka to comply with such directives, Honey quipped that it would simply become an instrumental piece. He also pointed out that alcohol references are deeply ingrained in cultural festivities across communities, not just in Punjab. “We go to parties; people are drinking. We go to weddings; people are drinking. It’s in the culture, not just in Punjab…”
Previously, Kangana Ranaut expressed her support for Diljit, stating, “Artistic expression is not dependent on anything. Himachal folk music has many such songs. In art, it’s the emotions that matter. To each their own. That being said, when it comes to habits like substance abuse, it’s not only the government’s responsibility but also that of the general public.”
Meanwhile, Diljit is wrapping up his Dil-luminati tour, which concludes with a grand concert in Ludhiana on New Year’s Eve.