When Diljit Dosanjh said he can make songs without any superstar's approval, "Bollywood me kaam mile ya na mile, mujhe ratti bhar parwaah nahi but..."

When Diljit Dosanjh said he can make songs without any superstar's approval, "Bollywood me kaam mile ya na mile, mujhe ratti bhar parwaah nahi but..."

• Diljit Dosanjh values music over Bollywood validation and artistic independence
• He sees music as sacred and not influenced by industry gatekeeping
• Diljit has achieved global success while staying true to his musical roots

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As Diljit Dosanjh turns a year older today, an old interview of the singer-actor has resurfaced online, reminding fans why he has always moved to his own rhythm. Long before global stages, fashion headlines, and record-breaking tours, Diljit had made one thing clear: music, not Bollywood validation, was his true north.

In a throwback conversation with Film Companion, Diljit spoke candidly about his relationship with Hindi cinema and why it never defined his sense of success. At a time when many artists chased mainstream approval, he was unapologetic about where his priorities lay.

Diljit Dosanjh talking about his negative Bollywood experience byu/MogamboKiMummy inBollyBlindsNGossip

“Mujhe kaam karna bhi nahi hai Bollywood mein. Koi icha bhi nahi hai ki main Bollywood me bahot mahaan kalakaar bann jaoon. Main music ko pyaar karta hoon,” he said, underlining that his love for music outweighed any ambition to be seen as a big Bollywood star.

Diljit explained that unlike the film industry, music gave him a sense of freedom he deeply valued. He did not have to wait for phone calls, permissions, or endorsements to create. The act of making music, for him, was personal and spiritual, not transactional.

“Aur bina kisi ki marzi se main music kar sakta hoon. Bina kisi superstar ke kehne se, ya kisi ko… ‘ki iska kaam chalega, isko gaana milega, isko nahi milega’… Ye sab cheezin humare pe nahi chalti. Koi banda hume rok nahi sakta hai,” he said, drawing a clear line between artistic independence and industry gatekeeping.

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The statement struck a chord then, and it resonates even more now. Diljit’s journey since that interview has only reinforced his belief. From selling out international arenas to becoming the first Indian performer at Coachella, and the first Sikh artist to walk the Met Gala carpet, his rise has followed a path few could have predicted or controlled.

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In the same interview, Diljit spoke about music not just as a career, but as something sacred. He described it as God’s work, something that flows through him rather than something he manufactures to meet expectations.

“Toh music banane se mujhe koi rok nahi sakta hai. Jab tak mera mann karega, main music banauga. Jab tak Bhagwaan chahega, music banayege,” he said, framing creativity as both instinctive and divine.

It was then that he delivered the line that continues to be quoted whenever conversations about artistic autonomy arise. “Aur Bollywood me toh kaam mile ya na mile, ratti bhar parwaah nahi,” he concluded, making it clear that film offers or industry politics held no power over his sense of purpose.

Diljit was also asked about his experiences working in Bollywood and whether he enjoyed collaborations there. While he answered politely, he chose not to dive deeper into the subject. With a smile, he shut down the topic, saying, “Baat abhi niklegi toh badi dur tak jayegi,” hinting that there was much more he could say, but chose not to.

Diljit has now sung for almost all superhits including Kantara