Days after a Los Angeles-based choreographer accused Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh of not compensating dancers during his Dil-Luminati Tour in the US, his manager, Sonali Singh, has addressed the issue.
The controversy began when Rajat Rocky Batta, owner of RRB Dance Company, posted a detailed message on Instagram alleging that the star failed to pay his performers. Batta expressed his disappointment, stating: “Despite our pride in a Desi artist achieving success with sold-out tours across North America, it's disheartening that Desi dancers remain undervalued. All dancers in Diljit’s Diluminati Tour were expected to perform without pay. Diljit, we celebrate your success, but your dancers should have been compensated and included in the production budget.”
In response, Singh released a statement clarifying that the official team had never contacted Rajat Batta or Manpreet Toor, who are spreading misinformation on social media. She emphasized that the official choreographers for the tour were Balwinder Singh, Preet Chahal, Divya, and Parth from Vancouver.
Prior to Singh’s statement, Dosanjh’s dancers themselves shared their perspective, emphasizing the invaluable experience of performing alongside him and showcasing Punjabi culture globally. They expressed their commitment to Bhangra and their cultural heritage, stating their decision to perform was made with full awareness and acceptance, and they did not wish to be represented by those who do not understand their motivations and sacrifices.
Dosanjh, who recently appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, has announced plans to extend his high-energy tour to the UAE.
