How Diljit Dosanjh, Fashion’s First Stylish Singh, Caused A Cultural Reset

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By Jasveen Kaur Sawhney Updated January 06, 2023

How Diljit Dosanjh, Fashion’s First Stylish Singh, Caused A Cultural Reset

Besides acting, celebrities are also known for their distinct sartorial sense. From reinventing their style to finding a unique fanbase for the brands they endorse, the influence of celebrity fashion is massive on our wardrobes. And while I love to keep a check on every star, my favourite is undoubtedly, singer/actor/entertainer–Diljit Dosanjh. The man in a turban has not only broken all stereotypes by being one of the first few people from the Sikh community to make it big in mainstream Bollywood but has always been unfiltered about his opinions. From ruling the Punjabi film industry with famous film franchises, and songs to entering the race with Bollywood’s A-listers, the multi-hyphenate star has carved a unique spot for himself.

With regard to his growing love for fashion, Diljit has proved to be the most stylish Singh. Ever since his debut in the Punjabi film industry in the year 2011, Dosanjh found himself dipping slowly in the sea of fashion trends through colourful turbans. Wearing them like a crown, the star further became popular with his collaborative song with rapper Honey Singh–”Lak 28 Kudi Da.” Back in the late 2000s, Dosanjh was often known for his lively collection of turbans, and suitings, as The Lion Of Punjab.

As the actor progressed towards some of his big projects like–Jatt & Juliet, both his humour, and sweatshirts were a hit amongst fans. A rather fresh flavour for his growing fanbase in Punjab, Dosanjh’s film style was often a loaned expression from the west, which moulded a new image of a conventional Punjabi hero in a kurta now turning to bomber jackets. Besides experimenting with light-hearted scripts, the actor’s films gathered more love for their songs, sung by him.

As Dosanjh’s exposure widened, his love for cinema soon started to reflect in his film choices. Balancing work back in homeland Punjab, Dosanjh slowly escalated his way to mainstream Bollywood, through songs. Listeners from the smallest pockets of the country found a taste in Punjabi music and decided to groove to the beats, even though the lyrics sounded like French to them. Here, Dosanjh used the tool of music to popularise the culture he was grown up in. With songs like “Proper Patola,” “Gulabi Pagg,” “Soorma,” “5 Taara” and more, he whipped the recipe of the Punjabi song format of a heartbroken boy with bang on bhangra. Soon, his style saw more takers, when MTV recognised his closet and chose to present it in a grand manner through the singer’s single “This Singh Is So Stylish” in the year 2017.

As the actor’s style found love for designer wear, high-end brands, and a taste of luxury, his music took a different route. This evolution in his sartorial sense was put on display through his music albums and songs like– Moon Child Era, and CON.FI.DEN.TIAL, El Sueno, and more. Here, Dosanjh admitted to being inspired by the television series–Peaky Blinders.

Soon traditional Punjabi kurta and pyjama were exchanged with vintage overcoats and more peppy shirts, quilted vests, inspired by artists from the west. A self-appointed stylist to himself, Dosanjh’s tiny team till today doesn’t have a professional to guide him towards fashion trends. The actor quite a lot of times mentioned how he gathers inspiration from fashion industry’s tastemakers, and curates a unique version for himself, by building his own closet. I still remember the actor telling journalist–Anupama Chopra that, “fashion sense humesha tha, par paise nahi the.” This Singh, explains the importance of both money and mind in the making of a style icon, which the actor, soon became through his purchases.

Later, his debut in Bollywood, through Udta Punjab in 2016, made him the breakout star of the year. As his already huge fandom expanded, the actor continued to choose, and sign films in the mainstream Hindi film industry. From working with Anushka Sharma, and Kareena Kapoor to Kriti Sanon, the actor also gifted the big screen with some applaudable performances through films like–Soorma, and the Netflix release–Jogi.

A peek into his personal life was often provided by his extremely active social media handles. From opinions to recipes, and going on a shopping spree, the actor’s changing style was visible through reels, new music videos, and film promotions. From knowing the labels on his fingertips to masterfully styling, and getting aesthetically appealing photoshoots done, the actor shaped his unique presence online. Unlike many actors from his generation, Dosanjh’s fashion, and naive self was appealing to fans, who then felt a connection with him.

Besides projects in Bollywood, the singer/actor continued to work for his fans back in Punjab through films like Shadaa, Honsla Rakh and more. Through Dosanjh, his homeland saw a new string of fresh scripts and fashion, with the Punjabi culture being more attentive to what was happening in the west. A *major* cultural reset in the history of Punjabi cinema. This period in his life, brought his fans together to discuss his sartorial experiments, and closely ape them. With that, Dosanjh also made it to the cover of Vogue’s Forces Of Fashion issue. The actor posed alongside the country’s most stylish stars like–Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar and Natasha Poonawalla. This path-breaking feat displayed his excellent fashion on a bigger billboard for the unversed.

After a lull during the lockdown, the actor consciously stayed away from India, and the industry to channelise his love for music. His songs, and sunflower-loaded videos mirrored his own consumption of music by western artists. Marinated with Punjabi lyrics were a few lines in Spanish, and English that connected him to a wider audience. Besides topping music charts, Dosanjh soon made it to Billboard for his album G.O.A.T. This new era, had him accepting his success, which he always shied away from. He again fashioned his way through this new journey, by donning fancier than ever jackets and collaborating with popular musicians like Anne Marie on his song– “Peaches.”

An exciting slice of his unique style soon saw the glimmering stage where he performed for concerts. Witnessing a massive footfall, the musician this past year changed gears and weaved a unique format for his music concerts. Much like a Harry Styles concert that is well-styled by his favourite label–Gucci, the actor filled his suitcase for music tours with sequin jackets from Celine, a suit from community-driven brand MsftsRep, and at times mixed his cultural roots from Punjab by fashioning a black pathani, and white pagh (worn by men who perform bhangra), with bomber jackets, biker gloves, and sneakers.

Grandeur around this time was not only visible through his branded closet, but stage setups that featured the moon, stars, and a universe built on Earth. It was as if Dosanjh was living a teenage dream, or watching his years-long prayers in a gurudwara coming to life.

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Rules Our Dil With His Fashion. We’re Sorry But It’s Better Than Bollywood Actresses

What fascinates me about this stylish Singh, is his ever-evolving sartorial sense which is inspiring for artists from his league, and especially who come from a village in Punjab dreaming of something as big as him. A mix of both Bieber and Harry Styles to India, Dosanjh has been paving a path for many with his firsts in every field.

The musician’s style throughout his career is like a cultural reset in the history of Punjabi musicians, who lived and found immense love. For a Sikh man to wear his crown through a turban, and shine like the jewellery he decorates his neck with, his story and style are both for the history books.

Also, happy birthday Diljit Dosanjh, we love you!

Feature Image Credits: Instagram

Jasveen Kaur Sawhney

Jasveen Kaur is a fashion writer, and pyjama hoarder, who loves watching interviews of all kinds, and checking her Pinterest mood board every hour!

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How Diljit Dosanjh, Fashion’s First Stylish Singh, Caused A Cultural Reset

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Rules Our Dil With His Fashion. We’re Sorry But It’s Better Than Bollywood Actresses

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How Diljit Dosanjh, Fashion’s First Stylish Singh, Caused A Cultural Reset

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Rules Our Dil With His Fashion. We’re Sorry But It’s Better Than Bollywood Actresses

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