Diljit Dosanjh accused of not paying background dancers
“All of the Desi Dancers in Diljit’s Dil-Luminati Tour were not paid and just expected to perform for free,” alleged choreographer Rajat Batta. Photo: File
Superstar Diljit Dosanjh is receiving boundless adoration from the desi community across the globe for his sold-out arena performances in Canada and the USA. However, a storm brews behind the scenes of his ongoing Dil-Luminati Tour, with allegations surfacing that his background dancers are not being paid, Indian Express reported.
LA-based entrepreneur and dance institute owner Rajat Batta took to social media, commending Diljit’s achievements while expressing disappointment over the alleged mistreatment of the dancers. “We are proud of Diljit breaking the glass ceiling,” Rajat shared, tagging the star on Instagram. “But it’s deeply disappointing that Desi Dancers are still undervalued as an industry. All of the Desi Dancers in Diljit’s Diluminati Tour were not paid, and just expected to perform for free.”
He further added, “It’s really disappointing to see an artist of this caliber cut corners by stepping on the throats of the Desi Dancer industry and continue to attribute to that culture.”
In response, several dancers from the tour issued a statement, expressing their honour in serving the community and calling it a “priceless opportunity” to showcase “Punjabi culture on a global stage.” Their post read, “Each performance is a tribute to our virsa, preserving the pure folk bhangra traditions we hold dear. Sharing our art form on such a prestigious platform is an invaluable reward in itself.”
The dancers emphasised their willingness to perform and thanked Diljit for the chance. “While we appreciate the concern, we do not wish to be represented by the voices who don’t understand our relationship, our motivations, sacrifices, and the immense value we place on such experiences. We are proud of our participation and the new avenues it has opened for the Punjabi community. Do not try to break our bond. We stand united.” The post was signed by “All The Bhangra Teams & Captains.”
Despite the dancers’ passionate defence, their statement leaves ambiguity about whether they received any payment, suggesting they were compensated with “opportunities” rather than financial remuneration.