Diljit Dosanjh, the vibrant Punjabi singer, and performer, who wowed audiences with his energetic and colorful Coachella set, has added another feather to his cap with the success of his latest film, “Jodi” on the big screen. Released by Rhythm Boyz Entertainment in the United States over the weekend, this musical extravaganza grossed an impressive $734,000, despite being screened at 125 locations. Although this figure may seem modest compared to the box office numbers of blockbuster Hollywood releases, it is undoubtedly a significant milestone for a Punjabi film in the US.
Jodi, a musical romance written and directed by Amberdeep Singh, features Dosanjh and Nimrat Khaira as two passionate artists on a challenging mission to reinvent the Punjabi folk music genre in the 1980s. The film made headlines in April when it became the most-watched Punjabi trailer in 24 hours, attracting a staggering 12 million viewers on YouTube.
According to Dosanjh’s manager, Sonali Singh, “He’s a unique artist who embodies tradition in his music, attire, and overall presence. He doesn’t compromise his identity to appeal to a wider audience.”
During the first weekend of Coachella, festival promoter Goldenvoice shared a clip of Dosanjh’s performance, which received more views on Instagram than any other artist’s set posted by the official festival account. Singh says, “We expected his performance to be appreciated, but the response was far beyond our expectations. It was heartening to see the Indian community and other celebrities and media outlets from around the world come together to support Dosanjh.”
Dosanjh’s captivating set required 25 band members and 40 dancers, which had to be downsized due to time constraints and staging issues. Singh adds that in India, his performance was compared to winning an Academy Award and was widely watched and discussed by various television outlets. “It was a proud moment for his fans in India. Many of them will never be able to attend Coachella, so his performance was exceptional for them.”
