From News Dispatches
Toronto, Canada: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is set to launch a groundbreaking academic course dedicated to Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, marking the first time a Canadian university will center a program on a Punjabi artist. Scheduled for Fall 2026 through TMU’s Creative School, the course will explore Dosanjh’s contributions to music, film, global pop culture, and the South Asian diaspora, analyzing his impact as a cultural figure and creative entrepreneur. The initiative was unveiled at the Billboard Summit during the NXNE festival in Toronto and is being developed in collaboration with Billboard Canada, which previously featured Dosanjh in a special print edition in 2023.
Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews, Assistant Professor at TMU, described the course as a way to examine how Dosanjh’s career reflects the intersection of identity, authenticity, and commercial success in the global music industry. His work will serve as a case study in how regional sounds and diasporic narratives can shape global cultural economies. TMU and Billboard Canada have called the course a formal recognition of the expanding influence of Punjabi music on the world stage. Mo Ghoneim, President of Billboard UK and Canada, praised Dosanjh’s cross-generational and cross-border appeal, calling him the ideal subject for the curriculum.
Sonali Singh, CEO of Ripple Effect Studios and Dosanjh’s manager, hailed the course as long overdue. She emphasized that his journey transcends commercial milestones, representing cultural pride and global representation for Punjabi and South Asian communities. Dosanjh’s recent achievements—breaking records with his “Dil-Luminati” tour in Canada, performing at Coachella 2023 as the first Punjabi artist, and making a statement debut at the 2025 Met Gala—highlight his growing stature as a cultural ambassador.
However, the announcement comes amid mounting controversy surrounding Dosanjh’s upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir and other Pakistani actors. The film, slated for overseas release on June 27, has drawn harsh criticism from Indian film bodies and social media users following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) have both condemned the casting, calling it “insensitive” and urging a ban on the film and all future collaborations involving Dosanjh. The trailer has been geo-blocked in India, and calls for a boycott have gained traction online, with some accusing Dosanjh of betraying national sentiment.
Producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu defended the project, stating that the film was completed before the recent conflict and is being released only overseas out of respect for Indian audiences. This controversy is not Dosanjh’s first; past incidents include a misinterpreted gesture at Coachella and criticism for using “Panjab” instead of “Punjab” in social media posts. Despite such challenges, TMU’s upcoming course signals a significant moment of academic and cultural recognition for one of South Asia’s most influential global artists.
