Just hours after posting a string of cryptic messages that many online users noticed were directed at fellow musician Diljit Dosanjh, Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa inexplicably deleted his X (formerly Twitter) account.
"This account doesn't exist" is now displayed on the singer's official handle, which was formerly active under the name "Guru Official."
The abrupt action followed comments made by Guru that were widely taken as subtle criticism of Dosanjh, who has recently faced backlash for using Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3.
Following the terror attack in Pahalgam in April, the controversy has gotten more intense, prompting multiple Indian film organisations to reaffirm their prohibition on working with Pakistani actors.
Without directly naming Diljit, Guru’s post appeared to take a swipe at the use of public relations to manage controversy.
He wrote, “When the PR team is more talented than the talent itself, controversies become part of the daily routine. The day is near when our people will open their eyes and know the truth. LOL. 1st of every month, dropping bombs. God bless the fake PR and the artists.”
He followed that with a Punjabi tweet, “Lakh pardesi hoyieee. Apna desh nhi bhandi daa. Jehre mulk da khayie, us da bura nhi mangi da,”
which roughly translates to, “Even if one becomes a complete foreigner, one must never betray their own country. One should never wish ill upon the land that provides for them.”
Adding fuel to the speculation, Guru also stated, “Even if now your citizenship is not Indian but you were born here, please remember this. This country made great artists, and we all are proud of it. Please be proud of where you were born. Just an advice. Now don’t start controversy again and manipulate Indians LOL. PR is bigger than the artist.”
In the meantime, Diljit Dosanjh has been the target of increasing criticism from film organisations like the FWICE and AICWA, who have demanded that the singer-actor's work be prohibited in India.
Diljit recently responded to the criticism by telling BBC Asian Network that Sardaar Ji 3 was filmed prior to the recent cross-border tensions.
The Amar Hundal-directed movie will not be screened in Indian theatres but is scheduled for release abroad on June 27.
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