Born on January 6, 1984, Diljit Dosanjh hails from Dosanjh Kalan in Phillaur tehsil, Jalandhar district, Punjab. His father, Balbir Singh, is a former employee of Punjab Roadways, and his mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, is a homemaker. (All photos/Diljit Dosanjh's official Instagram account)

Diljit Dosanjh started his acting career in the Punjabi film industry in 2011 with Loins of Punjab. He was subsequently seen in hits such as Jatt & Juliet, Jatt & Juliet 2, Punjab 1984, Sardaar Ji, Ambarsariya, Sardaar Ji 2, Super Singh, Soorma, Sajjan Singh, Rangroot and Shadaa.

After creating waves in his home state, Diljit Dosanjh made a splash in Bollywood with Udta Punjab in 2016. The film also starred Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan. 

Before venturing into Bollywood, Diljit Dosanjh used to think that "Sardar actors can't be successful in Hindi cinema". But now looking at his fame and stardom, it would be wrong to say that he is not successful.

Though Diljit Dosanjh has been recognised for his acting, it was his singing which made him popular first. 

Diljit Dosanjh is fondly called the king of Punjabi films, but he likes to refer to himself as a singer.

"I am singer. It (the tag of 'king of Punjabi films') has happened because of the love of people. I consider myself a singer and a small artiste," said Diljit Dosanjh.

He gained fame after giving several chartbusters such as Laembadgini, 5 taara, Kylie+Kareena, Patiala Peg, This Singh Is So Stylish and Do You Know.

While everyone knows that Diljit Dosanjh had sung Ikk Kuddi along with Alia Bhatt in Udta Punjab, did you know he had lent his voice earlier for Bollywood film songs such as (2012) Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya's song Pee Pa Pee Pa Ho Gaya, (2013) Mere Dad Ki Maruti's title track, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2's song Aidaan Hi Nachna and (2015) Singh is Bling's popular track Tung Tung Baje?

"Music will always be my life. It is who I started as and it will always be my first love. Acting happened by chance and I am glad it did. But my main profession is music. I am a musician first," Diljit Dosanjh had said in an earlier interview with IANS.

Diljit Dosanjh feels honoured to represent the Sikh community in mainstream Hindi cinema. He said, "Actually a lot of people have told me that I shouldn't be an actor. People told me to get rid of my turban or not become an actor. Back then, I knew that I would be okay to give up films, but not my turban."

Turbaned characters have often been typecast in Bollywood. But Diljit Dosanjh, a Sikh, who has previously said that he feels honoured to represent his community in mainstream Hindi cinema, stressed that it is not happening anymore. 

"It must have happened before but I never felt I was being treated differently. Why should there be a mould? I never thought I'd get typecast. I have done all types of films -- be it 'Phillauri', 'Udta Punjab', 'Soorma', 'Arjun Patiala' or 'Good News'. I don't know why there was a mould (but) thank god it's not there anymore," he said.

The versatile talent has a fan following of 7.9 million on Instagram. With all the crazy fandom, does he feel like a star? "I don't consider myself a star in the Punjabi film industry. I don't believe in stardom. I am an artiste and am working like one," Diljit told IANS. Diljit's latest movie outing is Good Newwz, which hit theatres on December 27, 2019.

Here's wishing the Good Newwz actor a very happy birthday!