Diljit Dosanjh Opens Up on KBC 17 About Childhood Struggles, Father

Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh recently appeared on a television quiz show to raise funds for families affected by the recent Punjab floods. During the episode, he emotionally reflected on his childhood, family struggles, and early singing career.

At the age of 10 or 11, Diljit was sent to live with his maternal uncle. Sharing his story, he said he felt deeply hurt as he wasn’t consulted before being sent away. He would only visit his parents every few months, which made the separation more difficult.

Diljit spoke fondly of his father, who worked as a ticket checker in road transport services. Calling him “a saint,” Diljit revealed his father's minimal desires — a bicycle and a love for mangoes. He recalled his father’s advice: “You will have food to eat and a home to live in; the rest is up to you.”

To support his family financially, Diljit began singing at weddings and birthday parties. After the release of his first album, he started receiving performance bookings that helped ease the family's financial strain. “We never let anyone leave without a performance. We started with ₹2,000 per show and did countless wedding gigs,” he shared.

Diljit debuted in the music industry with his album Ishq Da Uda Ada in 2003. His third album Smile brought him widespread popularity. He entered Punjabi cinema in 2011 with The Lion of Punjab and became a bankable star with hits like Jatt & Juliet and Punjab 1984. In Bollywood, he earned acclaim for roles in Udta Punjab, Good Newwz, and Jogi. He will next be seen in Border 2 alongside Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan, set for release on 22 January 2026.