According to Billboard Canada, one of this year’s biggest tours hitting Canada is Diljit Dosanjh. It will be the biggest Punjabi concert outside of India, hitting the stage in Canada in April, with additional dates to potentially be added. Diljit is an Indian singer, songwriter, actor, film producer and TV personality; having performed at Coachella and beyond, he has made quite a name for himself and has amassed a huge following. He is joining forces with Simplii Financial on a first-of-its-kind partnership to target newcomers that will recognize the diversity in Canada’s population and emphasize living in the now. We chatted with Diljit to learn more. —Noa Nichol
Hi Diljit! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start, including your career and rise to fame?
Hi VITA! I got into music by playing tabla in my early teens, and then you could say the rest is history. I’m proud to say I get to sing, act, and produce for a living. Through it all, I’ve released 13 studio albums, starred in over 30 films, and played on major stages like Coachella and can’t wait to keep going and connecting with fans all over the world.
How does it feel to be part of Billboard Canada, the biggest Punjabi concert outside of India? What is the significance of this event?
It truly is an amazing accomplishment and I am so grateful to my fans for the continued support that allows me to do what I love every single day. Having this accomplishment in Canada is even more special as this country has a special place in my heart and I am so excited to be back performing in Vancouver and Toronto.
How are you preparing for your Canadian show, and where will you explore when here?
Canada is definitely becoming a home away from home for me – I love the people, culture, and overall vibe that I feel every time I find myself there. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Canada a number of times over the past decade and every time I’m here I’m amazed to discover such a strong fan base and sense of community here, so I’m looking forward to heading back this Spring, to experience more of the culture and reconnect with my remarkable Canadian fans. I’ll be visiting Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg and am excited to try more of the food and maybe do some shopping and sightseeing.
How did your partnership with Simplii Financial come about? Why is it a good fit for you?
I’m very excited to be Simplii Financial’s first official brand ambassador. Simplii encourages people to live in the moment and they have a passion for inspiring and supporting new Canadians. I really relate to this and also embody the same values of seeing the world through a lens of optimism and positivity. When they reached out, it was an obvious choice for me. I think it’s a big deal for newcomers and international students to see themselves reflected in Canadian brands and I’m happy to play a part in that.
What would some of your top advice be to Canadian newcomers, in terms of inspiring them in their goals and dreams?
As far as things I’d like to share with students—it’s about making the most out of every moment. We’re all going to face challenges but it’s what we do in the face of those challenges that defines us. I’d tell newcomers to Canada to take the risk – it can be scary to start a new journey, but there are resources available to simplify the experience.
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