New Delhi: When actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh headlined the Wembley Stadium on Sunday, he created history as the first Punjabi artist ever to perform at the iconic London ground to a crowd of more than 90,000 people. His usual catchphrase rung out from stage: ‘Punjabi Aa Gaye Wembley Oye’ — Punjabis have arrived at Wembley. But the twist came from across the border: he had Pakistanis cheering him on as well.
Dosanjh performed legendary Pakistani qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Saanson ki Mala at the stadium and Pakistanis were elated. He also performed the popular Punjabi folk song Laung Gawacha. So, when one UK based journalist Murtaza Ali Khan called it a Pakistani song, many were quick to defend syncretism and call it a ‘shared heritage’.
And just like that, people on both sides of the border came together for a brief moment to celebrate Dosanjh and his historic feat.
One X user called it a ‘historic moment for Punjabi music’.
“Diljit Dosanjh turned Wembley into a celebration of Punjabi culture, music and energy during an unforgettable night of performance. With thousands of fans singing along, the global Punjabi star showcased the power of music to connect communities across borders,” Naveed Khan wrote.
🇬🇧🎤 London | Wembley Stadium
Diljit Dosanjh turned Wembley into a celebration of Punjabi culture, music and energy during an unforgettable night of performance.
With thousands of fans singing along, the global Punjabi star showcased the power of music to connect communities…
— Naveed Khan (@i_Naveediqbal) September 13, 2026
The head of Pakistan Press Club, London, Chaudhry Tabrez Aura wrote: “90,000+ fans. One Wembley. Diljit Dosanjh. Diljit brought his Aura World Tour to a sold-out Wembley Stadium on September 12, marking a huge moment for Punjabi music From Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift now Diljit has his own Wembley moment.”
90,000+ FANS. ONE WEMBLEY. DILJIT DOSANJH.
Diljit brought his Aura World Tour to a sold-out Wembley Stadium on September 12, marking a huge moment for Punjabi music
From Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift now Diljit has his own Wembley moment.#DiljitDosanjh #Wembley #Viral pic.twitter.com/ScLgGvUvQ0
— Chaudhry Tabraiz Aurah (@TabraizAurah) September 13, 2026
Another added: “Pakistan loves you bro. Exhilarating performance.”
Soon, the performance also led to a discourse on whether a Pakistani singer could ever draw such a crowd in contemporary times.
Pakistani journalist Ihtisham ul Haq, who went to see the show and loved it, said he was also a ‘little jealous’.
“There’s no Pakistani artist who could fill a place like this right now. Maybe NFAK could have. What do you think?” he asked.
An X user called Fiza Batool answered his question.
“Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, no doubt. But why keep looking at the past? Look at the present, Atif Aslam absolutely has the potential to fill a stadium like Wembley,” she wrote. “Give a Pakistani artist the same scale of production, marketing, global positioning and infrastructure, then watch.”
Not everyone agreed.
“Give a Pakistani artist…”? Why give? Diljit wasn’t given anything. The guy worked hard for years to get to where he is today. Pakistani artists simply don’t have the same drive. And most of the time they’re too scared to push any boundaries because of repercussions.
— Ambreen Tariq (@TariqAmbreen) September 13, 2026
“Give a Pakistani artist…”? Why give? Diljit wasn’t given anything. The guy worked hard for years to get to where he is today. Pakistani artists simply don’t have the same drive. And most of the time they’re too scared to push any boundaries because of repercussions,” user Ambreen Tariq responded.
(Edited by Stela Dey)