MUMBAI: Several dancers accused singer Diljit Dosanjh’s management of failing to pay them for their performances during his North American tour.
Dancer Shilpa Sajan has now withdrawn from the ongoing Europe leg of the Dil-Luminati Tour, reportedly due to similar issues. In a detailed Instagram post, Sajan shared her disappointment, stating, “I was thrilled about this opportunity, but the dance industry has revealed its true colors once again. It’s filled with unprofessionalism, egos, and a total lack of respect for dancers, with the excuse that ‘that’s just how Indian artists work.’ No celebrity is worth sacrificing your self-respect @diljitdosanjh.”
Sajan explained that she accepted the backup dancer role for the Europe tour, despite being aware of the non-payment controversies surrounding Dosanjh’s management. She had been assured it was a paid opportunity, but quickly discovered that the 80-pound pay was unsustainable. Additionally, she was required to cover her own travel and accommodation expenses.
She stated, “I have never encountered such an unprofessional and disrespectful management team in my life. Everything was a mess.” Sajan noted that their messages were often ignored, dancers were cut at the last minute, and there was insufficient focus on rehearsals, which negatively impacted the performances.
She highlighted that this reflects broader issues in the dance industry, where dancers are often treated as mere “objects.” The online community has shown support for Sajan and expressed sympathy for her situation.
Dosanjh is set to begin the India leg of the Dil-Luminati Tour on October 26 in New Delhi, concluding on December 29 in Guwahati.
