Rockstar Unbound

The artiste has had a stellar run this year and could well turn out to be Punjab's biggest cultural export

- Nandini Keshari

From performing in front of screaming fans, inviting A-list Western pop stars to join him on stage, singing on one of America’s most popular late-night talk shows, acting in critically acclaimed films to taking on politicians for their hypocrisy...Take a bow, Diljit Dosanjh.

He has single-handedly put Punjabi pop on the global stage. His ongoing Dil-Luminati tour has crashed cash counters and drawn thousands of fans across India, the US, Canada, the UK and Europe.

Dosanjh is the first Indian to perform at the BC Place stadium and Rogers Arena, both in Vancouver; Scotiabank Arena, Toronto; Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. He was also the highest-selling Indian singer at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

In North America alone, his concerts generated a revenue of $28mn. According to media reports, tickets were being resold for $64,000 and $55,000 with ready buyers for them.

Shahenshah of Showbiz

Back home in India, the DilLuminati concert witnessed a record 30,000-plus fans showing up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi. There was a few kilometres-long queue waiting to get in. Tickets were sold out within minutes of the opening of the booking window and were later being sold at more than 10 times the original price on the black market. It became the fastest-selling and highest-grossing concert in Indian history.