Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has opened up about his early struggles, revealing that he used to perform at birthday parties and weddings for as little as Rs5,000 to support himself before achieving fame.
Speaking to Indian media, the 42-year-old artist reflected on his journey from a financially struggling family to becoming one of the biggest names in Punjabi music and cinema.
Diljit said there was a time when he accepted almost every performance offer that came his way, regardless of the amount being paid. He explained that he never turned down an opportunity, whether the payment was Rs5,000, Rs10,000 or Rs15,000, because he was determined to improve his family’s financial situation.
The singer shared that his family faced severe financial hardship during his childhood, adding that there were times when they could not even afford to visit a doctor when someone fell ill. Those circumstances motivated him to work tirelessly and pursue his dream of becoming successful.
Diljit recalled that his debut music album, Ishq Da Uda Ada, was released in 2002. Shortly after its release, people began approaching him with offers to perform at birthday celebrations and wedding functions.
He said receiving payment for those performances made him realise that live shows could become a steady source of income. From then on, he accepted as many bookings as possible, travelling extensively and performing day and night without refusing any offer.
According to Diljit, live performances soon became his primary source of earnings because of the financial opportunities they provided. However, he noted that some senior figures in the Punjabi music industry did not view performances at weddings favourably.
Today, Diljit Dosanjh is recognised internationally for his music, films and sold-out concerts. He said his early experiences continue to remind him of the value of hard work and perseverance despite difficult beginnings.