A Mumbai-based social media influencer, Saumya Sahni, has sparked a debate by criticizing actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh for the high ticket prices of his upcoming Dil-Luminati India tour. Tickets for the tour, which ranges between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 per ticket, went on sale on September 12, and many sold out within minutes. Diljit’s tour will kick off on October 26, 2024, in Delhi and end on December 29 in Guwahati, covering several cities such as Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Indore, and Chandigarh. However, some fans feel the high cost of tickets excludes a large portion of Diljit’s core audience.
In an Instagram video, Sahni raised concerns about the accessibility of Diljit’s concerts for middle-class fans and his “core audience,” many of whom, she said, are either unemployed or unable to afford such expensive tickets. She questioned the pricing, particularly considering that Diljit is performing in multiple cities and could reduce the cost to make the concerts more accessible. Sahni compared this situation to international artists who, despite their fame, often charge more affordable ticket prices, even for major events like Lollapalooza.
Her remarks triggered a mixed reaction from social media users. Some agreed with Sahni’s viewpoint, pointing out that concerts should be accessible to a broader audience and not just to those who can afford luxury prices. One user commented that legendary bands like Nirvana kept ticket prices low so that actual fans, regardless of income, could attend. Others expressed frustration, saying they wanted to go but felt uncomfortable paying such high prices for a concert.
On the other hand, many defended Diljit and the pricing structure, arguing that concert attendance is a luxury, not a necessity. One user pointed out that Diljit has become a global name and deserves to charge higher prices, just like luxury brands such as Gucci and Prada, which are not accessible to everyone. Another user emphasized that the tickets were sold out precisely because his fans could afford them, making the high prices justifiable.
A user commented, "Agree. I recently attended cold play in Vienna. Guess what, the ticket costed 15k. Less than diljit's concert, which was soaring high at 20k. Doesn't make any sense." Another one wrote, "I attended Diljit’s Born to Shine concert in December 2022 in Mumbai and paid ₹3.5k for a fanpit ticket. This year, fanpit started at ₹10,000 and shot up to ₹20,000 in seconds lol."
Additionally, many fans in Mumbai were disappointed that the city was not included in the Dil-Luminati tour lineup. Diljit, however, responded to this on his Instagram story, asking, "Should we add Mumbai?" leaving fans hopeful for an update on a possible Mumbai concert. Despite the controversy, anticipation for the tour remains high, with fans eagerly awaiting his performances across India.
Image Source: Instagram