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Diljit Dosanjh says not afraid of critics

New Delhi, Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh says he is aware of all the egative energy being created around him but isn't scared of criticism.In an Instagram Live session hours after opening his Aura India tour with a concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday, the 42-year-old singer said he will continue to work for as long as he wants.I know a lot of people will make fun of me. Many news channels will also make fun of me and create negative energy. But no matter how much negative energy you create, I'm still here, baby. I'm not going anywhere, he said.I've been working here for 25 years. I'll stop only when I want to. I won't stop before that, he added.The singer said his decision not to respond to every criticism should not be mistaken for fear or an indication that he could be stopped from pursuing his work.I don't answer anyone's questions, but that doesn't mean I'm afraid of anyone or that I care about what anyone says. Nor does it mean that someone can stop me, he said.I know what people say about me, but I don't want to say anything to anyone because it isn't important to me. Those people aren't important to me, he added.The Delhi concert, the first of his eight performances as part of the tour, had faced uncertainty a week before it was scheduled to happen.Delhi Police had initially denied permission citing security-related inputs and festive-season law and order commitments. Organisers subsequently submitted a revised security, traffic and crowd-management plan, following which clearance was granted.Rain also threatened to play spoilsport, with the stage still wet after two days of intermittent showers but Dosanjh went ahead with the power-packed performance, which lasted over two hours.Dosanjh spoke about the difficulties his team encountered while organising the Delhi concert.I don't want to say what the problems were. I do shows all over the world. There are always problems. But when the India show starts, problems start, especially for me. I don't know why, he said.The singer also thanked Delhi Police and CRPF personnel for their arrangements at the concert, which marked his return to the national capital after two years.You made excellent arrangements and made it very easy for us to put on the show. Shout-out to Delhi Police and our young CRPF personnel. Thank you so much to all of you, he said.The Instagram Live session followed a series of remarks by Dosanjh during Friday's concert, where he addressed criticism over his position on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led student protest in July and the controversy surrounding his film Satluj.I love everyone because I'm an artist, bro, he said pointedly, repeating his statement from July, when he was asked about the CJP protest from which he had distanced himself.His comments drew widespread criticism on social media, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticising his stance, saying it was important for artists to speak up on pertinent issues or risk having their films repeatedly banned, in an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding Dosanjh's film Satluj.Responding to the criticism, Dosanjh said, I am being quiet, so let me stay quiet. I support all of you. Don't teach Punjabis how to fight battles. The film you were making fun of from stage -- Jaswant Singh Khalra ji's film ('Satluj'). We fought for a very long time for that film. I stay quiet, I love everyone. If someone hates us, no problem. From our side it's only love for everyone.The film, earlier titled Punjab '95, saw Dosanjh portray Khalra, who documented alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. After facing a prolonged wait for release, it premiered on ZEE5 in July this year but was taken down within two days.Dosanjh's public positions have frequently placed him at the centre of debate.His support for the farmers' protest in 2020 drew criticism on social media, with some branding him anti-national. He later spoke about the backlash and legal trouble he said he faced over his support for the movement.In January 2025, he also faced criticism after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some farm leaders questioning his support for the farmers' movement.Later that year, his decision to cast Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3 drew backlash from film bodies following the Pahalgam terror attack. Dosanjh said the film was shot before the attack and he later released it in overseas territories.Despite the controversies, Dosanjh's international profile has continued to grow, with the singer taking Punjabi music to audiences across the world.He became the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 and made his US television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2024.He has collaborated with international artistes, including British singer Ed Sheeran and Sia, and performed alongside Sheeran at concerts. At the 2025 Met Gala, Dosanjh used the global fashion platform to showcase his Punjabi and Sikh heritage, wearing an ensemble inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.As an actor, he has balanced mainstream commercial entertainers with films exploring complex social and historical themes, including Udta Punjab, Jogi and Amar Singh Chamkila.

The Economic Times 31 Oct 2026 5:56 pm

Diljit Dosanjh turns Delhi into a giant singalong as Aura India Tour opens to a full house

The RuPay AURA India Tour 2026 launched spectacularly as Diljit Dosanjh performed for a packed house in Delhi. The evening began with his popular number 'Morni', instantly connecting with the enthusiastic crowd that sang along fervently. With breathtaking visuals and a coordinated drone display, the concert was a feast for the eyes.

The Economic Times 31 Oct 2026 5:09 pm

'Will Make Kaante 2 Your Dream'

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Rediff 31 Oct 2026 5:05 pm

Diljit Dosanjh sends strong message at Aura tour in Delhi, says 'don't teach Punjabis how to fight'

Diljit Dosanjh commenced his India leg of the Aura tour at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, attracting numerous fans. The concert faced initial uncertainty due to security concerns but proceeded with enhanced measures in place. During the performance, Dosanjh expressed gratitude to fans, while also addressing his critics. He performed popular songs and engaged actively with the audience throughout the evening.

The Economic Times 31 Oct 2026 10:19 am

Amazon steps up creator investments as it looks to convert social media influence into sales

Between January and September, creator content influenced 42 million customers on Amazon, of whom 28 million made a purchase. A total of 133 million products were purchased through creators during the period, said Nidhi Thakkar, head of social commerce for emerging marketplaces at Amazon. Influenced customers grew 50% year-on-year, while purchasing customers increased 92%. The figures were recorded before the Diwali shopping season.

The Economic Times 30 Oct 2026 11:55 pm

JioStar Q2 profit drops 13.2% to Rs 1,147 crore as margins contract

JioStar's net profit declined 13.2% year-on-year to Rs 1,147 crore in Q2 FY27, despite a 10.1% rise in operating revenue to Rs 6,806 crore. Operating EBITDA fell 10.5%, with margins contracting 600 basis points. JioHotstar averaged 440 million monthly active users, supported by growth in viewership and subscriptions.

The Economic Times 30 Oct 2026 9:00 pm

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Rediff 30 Oct 2026 4:58 pm

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The Kapoors' annual Karva Chauth celebration was a star-studded affair, with Bollywood's leading ladies and their families coming together at Anil and Sunita Kapoor's Mumbai home.

Rediff 30 Oct 2026 2:08 pm

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The Economic Times 30 Oct 2026 6:52 am

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Veteran filmmaker and CID creator BP Singh died on October 27, aged 77, after suffering a massive heart attack. Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty, Aditya Srivastava and other CID actors attended his last rites on October 28 in Mumbai.

IBTimes 28 Oct 2026 11:39 pm

PVR INOX targets 500 new screens in three years, bets on SMART Cinemas

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The Economic Times 28 Oct 2026 7:59 pm

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Rediff 28 Oct 2026 2:55 pm

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Ramayana: Part 1 had its grand premiere in Los Angeles, drawing attention ahead of its global release on November 5.

Rediff 28 Oct 2026 10:15 am

Shah Rukh's 'King' poster sparks online debate, netizens draw parallels with 'Dhurandhar 2'

Shah Rukh Khan revealed the poster for his upcoming film titled King, set to release on December 24. The poster features him in a rugged look, holding a gun and a rose. Social media reactions were mixed, with some users praising the aesthetic while others made comparisons to Ranveer Singh's film. Critics pointed out similarities with other action movies, suggesting potential influence or imitation.

The Economic Times 27 Oct 2026 6:09 pm

Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on media groups' challenge to privacy law

A petition from the Digital News Publishers Association challenges provisions of India's digital privacy law. The law may restrict journalistic activities by requiring consent from individuals under investigation. News publishers argue that this could hinder the freedom of the press and expose confidential sources. Concerns regarding the potential penalties for non-compliance have also been raised by the petitioners.

The Economic Times 27 Oct 2026 12:16 pm

Zee appoints Komal Nahta as Creative Director, restructures movies business

Under the revamped structure, Suraj Singh and the Zee Studios team will report to Nahta, who will also oversee commercial and movie acquisition decisions across platforms, with a focus on Hindi and other-language films. He will report to ZEEL Chief Executive Officer Punit Goenka.

The Economic Times 26 Oct 2026 5:54 pm

BARC blackout opens a new channel for TV viewership data

The suspension of Broadcast Audience Research Council ratings has prompted new interest in RPD-based data collection for TV viewership. GTPL Hathway has started sharing data from connected set-top boxes to track channel viewing. While Tata Play has utilized RPD for internal purposes, concerns remain regarding its industry-wide credibility and sampling transparency. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has emphasized RPD's importance for future deployments by distribution platform operators.

The Economic Times 26 Oct 2026 12:30 am

Netflix users are watching less, not opening the app as often

Netflix Inc. has seen a decline in user engagement, with customers opening the app less frequently than before. Although total watch time increased due to new subscribers, individual viewing has decreased significantly during this period. The company is facing challenges such as increased competition and fewer hit productions impacting viewer attraction. In response to these issues, Netflix has made leadership changes to strengthen its content strategy and overall business model.

The Economic Times 25 Oct 2026 10:23 pm

Goan food and history come together in this immersive theater performance by PaChaak Productions

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The Hindu 23 Oct 2026 11:47 am

Theatre group Ank revisits the legacy of warrior queen Veera Rani Abbakka

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The Hindu 23 Oct 2026 9:45 am

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The Hindu 22 Oct 2026 10:54 am

Slaves, a new production by The Madras Players, is a translation of writer Sujatha

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The Hindu 15 Oct 2026 11:13 am

'Investors must have a long-term view to unlock India's sports market potential': JioStar VC Uday Shankar

Uday Shankar highlights that India's sports industry presents substantial long-term investment opportunities, particularly in cricket and others. He urges potential investors to adopt a longer timeframe beyond five years for returns. Shankar also notes that while cricket remains dominant, other sports are gaining significant audiences as well. The challenges include rising media-rights costs and competition with technology platforms. Furthermore, simplifying cricket formats could enhance viewer enjoyment and excitement over time.

The Economic Times 12 Oct 2026 1:09 am

Media, entertainment sector likely to see better growth in Q3FY27 on festive spending, content pipeline: Nuvama

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The Hindu Businessline 2 Oct 2026 12:53 pm

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The Hindu 18 Sep 2026 10:23 am

ET World Leaders Forum: Cricket is a great investment but rights costs have run out of control, says JioStar's Uday Shankar

JioStar vice chairman Uday Shankar said sports, particularly cricket, has been a major investment for the company, helping it build a digital audience of 600 million monthly active users. However, he said soaring cricket media rights costs have made the business increasingly difficult.

The Economic Times 24 Aug 2026 1:10 am