There is no dearth of famous personalities from Punjab not just in India, but the world over. After the success of the Imtiaz Ali-directed Amar Singh Chamkila, which saw singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh play a titular role in a Bollywood movie, Punjab is very much the flavour of the season! For Dosanj, Amar Singh Chamkila comes right on the heels of another mainstream Hindi film, the multi-starrer Crew featuring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon.
Several personalities from Punjab have excelled in arenas as diverse as literature, spirituality, politics, sports, business, entertainment and art, capturing the popular imagination with their achievements, and giving the state a reputation for being home to successful figures. Here are some popular Punjabi personalities who have shaped the contemporary narrative with their contribution to their respective fields, starting, of course, with Diljit Dosanjh who is the current heartthrob.
Diljit Dosanjh
The first Sikh artiste to perform at Coachella (the famous music and arts festival in California), Diljit Dosanjh spent time with his family in Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar district before moving to Ludhiana, where he studied at Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School. A popular singer and actor in the Punjabi movie industry, who has also made a mark as a songwriter, film producer and television personality, Diljit Dosanjh made his debut in Bollywood with the movie Udta Punjab. He makes no bones about his humble beginnings – his father was a Punjab Roadways driver. He pays homage to his lineage even in his choice of costumes on the stage where he dons the tehmat (wraparound) with the same ease as he does a puffer jacket.
Ayushmann Khurrana
The actor, born Nishant Khurrana in Chandigarh, says he is proud to be a Punjabi. This is quite evident in many of the roles he has essayed on screen in movies like Vicky Donor and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, where he plays a typical Punjabi boy. “I consider myself lucky to be a Punjabi and to have represented its culture and traditions through my craft,” confessed the versatile actor to a popular media portal. Ayushmann Khurrana, who also sings in Punjabi, is known for musical hits like “Ik Vaari” and “Chan Kitthan”.
Shubman Gill
Born in Fazilka, cricketer Shubman Gill shot to fame with 418 runs at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2018. The player made his A-list debut for Punjab in 2016. His father Lakhwinder Singh realised his son’s talents early on and shifted base to Mohali just so Shubman could play professional cricket. The 24-year-old batsman was also a hot favourite for the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, where the team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked him up for Rs 1.8 crore. He is currently the captain of the Gujarat Titans team in the IPL.
Arijit Singh
Though Arijit Singh grew up in Bengal, his roots on his father’s side go back to Punjab. His father Kakkar Singh is a turbaned Sikh while his mother is Bengali. His paternal family moved to India from Lahore after Partition. The award-winning playback singer, with hits like “Chaleya”, “Galti se mistake” and “Lutt putt gaya” to his credit, has even donned a turban on occasion. The crooner started his career in the reality show Fame Gurukul and the song “Tum hi ho” in 2013 made him an overnight sensation.
Guru Randhawa
The credit for making Punjabi melodies a mainstream phenomenon must also be given to the singer Guru Randhawa, whose full name is Guru Sharan Singh Randhawa. Born in 1991 in Gurdaspur, Randhawa would hear a mix of Indian and Punjabi music from Pakistan via the programmes his local TV station would pick up due to its proximity to the border. His career took off after he posted the track “Same girl” on YouTube and thereafter he even collaborated with Pitbull on the 2019 hit “Slowly slowly”.
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu
The former Miss India and Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, was a resident of a locality called Kharar on the outskirts of Chandigarh. The third Indian woman to bag the coveted international title of Miss Universe, Harnaaz was born in a village in Gurdaspur to parents Pritampal Singh Sandhu and Rabindra Kaur Sandhu. Makki-ki-roti (corn flour roti) paired with sarson ka saag (a mustard leaves dish) is one of her favourite dishes. Harnaaz has also worked in the Punjabi film industry.
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The lead image at the top shows (from left) Shubman Gill, Diljit Dosanjh and Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu. (Photos from Wikimedia Commons)
