Diljit Dosanjh reflects on growing up in poor family: 'Didn't have money to got to doctor'

Diljit Dosanjh (Pic/AFP)

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has come a long way from performing at birthday parties and weddings to selling out stadiums across the world. In a recent interview, the singer-actor looked back at his early career, revealing why he accepted every performance offer. He also opened up about growing up in poverty, which motivated him to dream big and become rich.

Diljit Dosanjh on singing at weddings

In an interview on Q with Tom Power, Diljit was asked about the time when he performed at weddings. "It's amazing. There's so much money in that field," he shared.

Revealing how he started performing at weddings, he shared, "My album came out in 2002, and 4-5 people came to my company and said, ‘We want to book this guy for a birthday party.'"

Despite being reluctant, Diljit had to perform as he was under contract. The opportunity became an addiction for him to earn money. "I didn't say no to anybody. If someone offered Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000, or Rs 15,000, I said yes. I went everywhere, day and night," he shared.

Diljit also revealed why he eventually stopped performing at weddings after some artists started looking down on him. To show that he was capable of doing much more, Diljit charted a new path by focusing on organising his own concerts. Recently, Diljit was dedicated a day in Los Angeles, owing to his popularity.

Diljit recalls living in poverty

In the same chat, Diljit said that from the very beginning, he knew that he wanted to be "rich and famous." Recalling his tough childhood, he shared, "Because I came from a poor family. It was like a below-average family. If you got sick, you wouldn't have money to go to the doctor, so don't get sick because you don't have money."

Diljit Dosanjh's recent films

The actor was seen in Border 2, which released in January. The film starred him as an Air Force pilot alongside Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles. Sonam Bajwa starred opposite him as the leading lady.

He was recently seen in Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga. It is a period romantic drama starring Sharvari, Naseeruddin Shah, and Vedang Raina. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition of India and explores themes of love, separation, migration, and memory.