Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati Tour Faces Controversy Over Allegations of Unpaid Dancers

Superstar Diljit Dosanjh is currently receiving widespread adoration from the desi community worldwide for his sold-out arena performances in Canada and the USA. However, behind the scenes of his ongoing Dil-Luminati Tour, allegations have surfaced that his background dancers are not being paid, as reported by the Indian Express.

LA-based entrepreneur and dance institute owner Rajat Batta took to social media to both praise Diljit’s achievements and express 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 were 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 continuing to contribute to that culture.”

In response, several dancers from the tour issued a statement, expressing their honor 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 emphasized 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 defense, their statement leaves ambiguity about whether they received any payment, suggesting they were compensated with “opportunities” rather than financial remuneration.