New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) The stage is set and anticipation is at an all-time high as actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh kicks off his "Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024" in the national capital with back-to-back performances this weekend at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The concerts, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, have become one of the most awaited musical events of the year, marking the singer’s return to India after the grand success of his shows in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
With gates scheduled to open at 5:30 PM, there was a huge gathering of fans, eager to witness the unparalleled energy and star power of one of India’s most beloved artists, outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which has a capacity of over 60,000 seats.
The fans’ excitement was palpable even before the show began.
"It’s an amazing vibe, and people have been waiting for the last half hour, so the craze is full on. And as he said, ‘Punjabi aa gaye oye,’ it really feels like he’s come back home. We’re enjoying it," said one fan.
"There used to be fights back in the day, and the same is happening today because we weren’t getting tickets. We had to request some of our friends to help us get them."
Another fan shared his anticipation for the event and said, "Really excited. We’ve been waiting for this event for the past month, and finally, the day has come, so it feels good."
For some fans, the wait has been even longer.
"I’ve been waiting for two months. I got the tickets on the first try, so now I’m just waiting for the gates to open and to enjoy myself. My excitement level, on a scale from 1 to 100, is 110," said an enthusiastic concert-goer.
Others felt fortunate to secure tickets amid the heavy demand.
"It was pure luck that I got the tickets. My favourite Diljit song is with Gurdas Maan, ‘Ki Banu Duniya Da’, and my current favourite song is ‘Born to Shine’," said a fan.
There were also those who were willing to go through the struggle just to witness their favourite singer.
"I struggled for nine hours on Zomato Live to get some tickets, and I finally got one. My girlfriend has the other ticket, but she’s sitting on the other side. We’re in two different rows," said a concert-goer.
Delhi’s concert-goers are especially in for a treat, as the city will witness not just one but two shows.
The second date was added after the first show sold out within minutes. It is almost sold out as well, with only lounge tickets available priced between Rs 32,000 and Rs 60,000.
Organised by Ripple Effect Studios and Saregama India, with Zomato Live handling ticketing, the tour has already smashed records, becoming the fastest-selling and highest-grossing concert event in Indian history.
Dosanjh, who has enthralled music aficionados globally with hit tracks such as "Jatt Da Pyaar", "Raat Di Gedi", "Patiala Peg", "Do You Know", "5 Taara Theka" and "Laembadgini", announced his arrival in Delhi in a post on Instagram on Friday.
"Delhi Ka Mausam Kya Keh Raha Hai. DIL-LUMINATI TOUR Year 24," he posted alongside photos from the plane and at the airport.
In another post on Saturday, the 40-year-old musician shared a video from the stadium and is seen inspecting the arrangements ahead of the concert. "All set for tonight," he captioned the video.
Ahead of the shows, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory for the general public.
"In connection with the Diljit Dosanjh Live Concert 'Dil Luminati' on 26th & 27th October 2024 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, significant traffic arrangements have been made due to the expected large gathering," the police said on X on Friday.
"Adequate traffic arrangements have been made for diversion and regulation of traffic. The general public and motorists are also advised to use public transport to avoid congestion on the roads," they added.
The shows in Delhi mark the beginning of a 10-city tour for Diljit that will take him across Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata, and more, before concluding with a grand finale in Guwahati on December 29.
"I’m honestly overwhelmed. The love, the energy, it’s truly humbling! I’m so grateful to everyone who managed to get a ticket. Trust me, this is going to be an experience like no other," Dosanjh said in a statement earlier this month.
Sonali Singh, CEO of Ripple Effect Studios, stated that Dosanjh's tour will surely turn out to be a game-changer for Indian musicians.
"The love and enthusiasm we’ve seen from fans are beyond anything we could have imagined. Diljit has set a new gold standard for Indian artists on tour," she said.
Over the past few years, Dosanjh has successfully transcended cultural and language barriers to captivate audiences worldwide, making him one of the most prominent South Asian artists on the global stage.
A pivotal moment in his journey was his 2022 performance at Coachella, where he became the first Punjabi artist to perform at the iconic music festival. His set was lauded not only for its energetic delivery but also for the way it introduced the beauty of Punjabi music and culture to a global audience.
In June this year, Dosanjh was the musical guest on the popular American celebrity chat show "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." During the show, he performed his popular tracks "G.O.A.T." and "Born to Shine", after which Fallon praised him as "the biggest Punjabi artist on the planet."
Dosanjh has also made his mark in movies. He was recently seen in "Amar Singh Chamkila", "Crew" and the Punjabi movie "Jatt and Juliet 3". His upcoming films include "Border 2" and the sequel to "No Entry".