London, December 12 – Renowned Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has claimed the top spot on the 2024 edition of the prestigious “50 Most Influential Asians in the World” list, published by the UK’s Eastern Eye weekly. Dosanjh's meteoric rise has eclipsed the achievements of international stars across cinema, music, television, art, and literature.
This marks a significant moment for the artist, who succeeds Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, last year’s number one. Dosanjh’s global appeal has been bolstered by his chart-topping music and major performances at international music festivals.
A Historic Year for Diljit Dosanjh
Eastern Eye entertainment editor Asjad Nazir hailed Dosanjh’s record-breaking achievements, saying, “The singing superstar’s highly successful ‘Dil-luminati’ tour is the most triumphant global tour ever undertaken by a South Asian celebrity.”
Nazir added, “His groundbreaking performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon set new benchmarks for Indian music internationally. Alongside his musical prowess, Dosanjh’s acting talent and pride in his Punjabi heritage have made him a global icon. It has been a dream year for him.”
Other Honorees
Indian-origin pop superstar Charli XCX secured the second spot, while Telugu cinema sensation Allu Arjun ranked third, buoyed by the record-breaking success of his film Pushpa: The Rule. Actor and filmmaker Dev Patel, known for his critically acclaimed work on Monkey Man, claimed the fourth spot.
Other notable entries include:
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas (5th)
- Tamil actor Vijay (6th)
- Singer Arijit Singh (7th)
- Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan, Pakistani starlet Hania Aamir, and British actress Simone Ashley rounded out the top 10.
Special Mentions
The list also honored legendary Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, aged 82, who ranked 26th, and the youngest honoree, 17-year-old Nitantshi Goel, who secured the 42nd spot for her performance in India’s official Oscar submission The Ladies’ Vanish.
Dosanjh’s top ranking underscores his influence as a cultural ambassador, seamlessly blending traditional Punjabi heritage with a global contemporary appeal.
