Coca-Cola Responds as Diljit Dosanjh Tweaks Lyrics to Avoid Alcohol Promotion in Hyderabad

Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh recently garnered significant attention for Coca-Cola after making creative changes to his song lyrics during a live performance in Hyderabad. The tweaks were made to comply with a directive from the Telangana government, which asked the artist not to perform songs promoting alcohol, drugs, or violence.

During the concert, Dosanjh replaced words like “daaru” (alcohol) with "Coke," ensuring his set list adhered to the guidelines. For example, the line "5 tara theke" became "5 tara hotel," and "daaru 'ch lemonade" turned into "Coke 'ch lemonade." His playful modifications amused both the audience and social media users, with videos of his performance going viral.

One such video, featuring Dosanjh performing “Pehle Lalkare,” showcased similar changes. The original lyric, "Dooja kamm bottlaan de datt pattne," was altered to "Dooja kamm Coke de datt pattne." The crowd erupted in applause, and Dosanjh was seen grinning as he delivered the revised lyrics.

Coca-Cola India also responded to the viral video, seizing the moment to engage with fans. The company commented on the video shared by the Instagram page “teamdiljitglobal,” humorously adding a fourth task to the song’s list: “Chautha kaam twade gaane japne (fourth task is worshipping your songs).”

Social media users highlighted how the lyric changes inadvertently served as free publicity for Coca-Cola. “Coke has made incredible impressions with the recent tweak in lyrics by Diljit,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another post described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime free offer for Coca-Cola” that brought immense visibility to the brand.

However, Dosanjh criticized the Telangana government for imposing the restrictions. He pointed out what he perceived as a double standard, stating that foreign artists are often allowed to include references to alcohol and drugs in their performances without similar constraints.

The incident not only underscored Diljit Dosanjh's creativity and adaptability as an artist but also sparked a broader discussion about the cultural policies governing live performances in India.