Murky Link Between Punjabi Artists And Gangsters In Spotlight Again After AP Dhillon Death Threats

AP Dhillon Death Threat: Recent cases of firing outside the Punjabi singer-rapper's residence in Vancouver, Canada have brought the focus back on the Punjabi music industry and how threat looms large over homegrown artists. While there have been concerns about Dhillon and his music collaborators' safety abroad in the aftermath of the attack, with a heightened focus on their security, unfortunately, instances of gangsters trying to intimidate Punjabi artists, even going to the extent of harming and killing them, is not new.

The Punjabi music industry is among the fastest-growing ones in the world, valued at over ₹60,000 crore, as per reports. According to a 2022 study, the turnover is growing at 12-15% annually, pegging it as a very lucrative entertainment business. Apart from singers, who frontline events, the industry employs many more. It is also the breeding ground for intense competition among music labels, who yearn for money and clout.

Punjabi music industry and Bollywood: How the dots connect

What is now happening in the Punjabi music industry was once rampant in Bollywood between 1980s and 2000s. At a time when its revenue was growing by leaps and bounds, the underworld set its eyes on the Hindi film industry. Organised mafia became a stakeholder in the film business. Infamous gangsters produced movies and called the shots on who would feature in what projects. Those not falling in line had to pay the price. For those involved in organsied crime, Bollywood became a cover for illicit business.

Similarly, gangsters now want to stamp their authority on the Punjabi music industry, even on those settled abroad. Extortion and protection money is an open and agreed-upon practice, with gangsters staking claim in profits these artists make. With money and high stakes, violence has crept into the industry. The shooting outside AP Dhillon's house in Canada is another example of untamed gangsters trying to exert influence over the Punjabi music business. 

Amar Singh Chamkila

Amar Singh Chamkila or Elvis Presley of Punjab was a popular Punjabi folk singer known for making songs that contained sexual innuendos and themes of extramarital affairs, drugs and alcohol abuse in Punjab. His music was deemed ‘vulgar’ by many, who also tried to censor him. At the peak of his career, he is said to have performed shows every day of the year.

On March 8, 1988, tragedy struck in Mehsampur, Punjab as Chamkila and his wife Amarjot Kaur were shot dead by a group of motorcycle riders as they exited their vehicle. The case of his assassination remains unsolved to date. Many have claimed that gangsters called the hit on Chamkila, while others say it was the doing of Amarjot's family, a decision driven by caste.    

Sidhu Moosewala

Sidhu Moosewala gained immense popularity for his unique musical style that blended traditional Punjabi folk with rap and hip-hop beats. His music came to be identified with the genre of gangster rap. He was shot dead by armed assailants in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022. Goldy Brar was accused in the murder of Moosewala. He is an operative in the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. 

Parmish Varma shot at

In April 2018, Punjabi singer Parmish Verma, known for songs like Le Chakk Main Aa Gya and Gaal Ni Kadni, was attacked by a gangster in Mohali. He along with his friend Kulwant Singh Chahal were allegedly shot at by a gangster who had also declared his plan in a Facebook post. He sustained a bullet wound in his leg but survived.

Gunfire outside Gippy Grewal's residence

Shots were fired outside Gippy Grewal's residence in 2023 in Canada. The alleged incident took place in the White Rock neighbourhood in Vancouver, Canada. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the shooting.

Other Punjabi artists like Karan Aujla, Rai Jujhar, Balkar Sidhu and Mankirt Aulakh have complained of receiving death and extortion threats from gangsters.