— Punjabi superstar says he avoids political controversies and believes a visit to Pakistan could affect his ability to travel elsewhere, while reaffirming his desire to stay away from politics
By Irum Saleem
LAHORE: Popular Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has said that politics, rather than personal choice, is preventing him from visiting Pakistan, telling fans that a trip to Lahore could create complications affecting his ability to travel to other countries.
Speaking during an Instagram Live session on Tuesday while promoting his upcoming European tour, Dosanjh responded to a fan from Lahore who urged him to perform in the city.
“No brother, if I come to Lahore, they won’t let me go anywhere else. You know what’s going on in the world. It’s all about politics, bro,” he said, without elaborating on who he believed might restrict his travel.
The singer, who enjoys a large fan following in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, said he deliberately keeps himself away from political matters because he does not believe he is suited to the pressures associated with them.
“I always stay away from politics, always keep my face away from it. Politics, for anyone who wants to pursue it as a profession, is very hard. It’s not something I can handle,” he said.
Dosanjh’s remarks come against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Pakistan, which have frequently spilled over into cultural exchanges, making cross-border collaborations increasingly contentious.
Despite maintaining that he avoids politics, the singer has repeatedly found himself at the centre of political controversies because of his artistic collaborations.
Last year, his film Sardaar Ji 3 became a flashpoint after it featured Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the lead role. The film was released in Pakistan but did not receive a theatrical release in India amid opposition from sections of the Indian film industry.
Facing criticism at home, Dosanjh defended the project, arguing that the film had been signed and produced before tensions escalated and that circumstances beyond the filmmakers’ control should not undermine the work of the entire team.
In an interview with the BBC Asian Network, he said he would honour his professional commitments despite the controversy.
More recently, Dosanjh starred in Main Vaapas Aaunga, a film centred on the human cost of the 1947 Partition. The story follows an elderly man reflecting on the trauma of displacement, with significant portions set in Pakistan’s city of Sargodha.
His latest remarks are likely to resonate with his Pakistani admirers, many of whom have long expressed a desire to see the singer perform in the country. However, Dosanjh suggested that the current political climate leaves little room for such a visit in the foreseeable future.
