Shilpa Sajan recently took to Instagram to express her frustrations after withdrawing as a backup dancer from the Europe leg of Diljit Dosanjh’s ongoing Dil-Luminati Tour. This follows allegations made by other dancers regarding non-payment during the North America tour.
In her heartfelt post, Shilpa shared “An opportunity I was super excited about, but the dance industry has shown its true colours once again. Riddled with unprofessionalism, egos, total disrespect for dancers and being told ‘that’s just how Indians work’.
No celebrity is worth giving up your self-respect. diljitdosanjh”
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Despite being aware of the earlier payment controversies, she was assured that her role would be compensated. However, as the tour commenced, Shilpa found the pay—just £80—insufficient to cover her international travel and accommodation expenses.
Shilpa expressed her disappointment with the management team, describing their approach as chaotic and disrespectful. She mentioned that communication was poor, with messages frequently ignored, last-minute cuts to dancers, and a lack of focus on rehearsals, all of which negatively impacted performances. This experience, she noted, is indicative of broader systemic issues within the dance industry, where dancers often feel devalued and treated as mere “objects.”
Netizens Reaction
Many of Shilpa’s followers showed their support in the comments. One user wrote, “I mean, Diljit is performing at the highest level ever and this is the treatment dancers are getting, they should be paid better. Shocked to see low standards” Support continued to pour in, with comments expressing, “It’s important to recognize and value your own skills and knowledge. 💪🤓
Diljit Dosanjh Next Tours
As Diljit prepares for the India leg of his sold-out Dil-Luminati Tour, set to begin on October 26 in New Delhi and conclude on December 29 in Guwahati, the dance community remains watchful. Shilpa’s experiences underscore the need for more respect and fair treatment within the industry, reflecting a collective call for change that many hope will lead to better conditions for dancers in the future.
