Superstar Diljit Dosanjh is being celebrated for his sold-out arena performances in Canada and the USA during his Dil-Luminati Tour. However, behind the scenes, allegations have surfaced regarding the non-payment of his background dancers, as reported by the Indian Express.
Rajat Batta, an LA-based entrepreneur and dance institute owner, took to social media to express his disappointment over the alleged mistreatment of the dancers. While he praised Diljit for his achievements, he highlighted the issue of desi dancers being undervalued. “We are proud of Diljit breaking the glass ceiling,” Rajat posted on Instagram, tagging the star. “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.”
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In response, several dancers from the tour issued a statement expressing their honor in serving the community and calling the opportunity to showcase Punjabi culture on a global stage “priceless.” 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 financial payment, suggesting they were compensated with “opportunities” rather than monetary remuneration.
