During his recent performance in Hyderabad, Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh made a creative move to comply with the Telangana state government’s directive, which prohibited promoting alcohol, drugs, or violence in songs. As a result, the singer altered several lyrics, replacing mentions of alcohol with references to Coca-Cola, much to the amusement of his fans and social media users.
For example, the line “5 tara theke” was changed to “5 tara hotel,” and “daaru ‘ch lemonade” became “Coke ‘ch lemonade.” The unexpected tweaks added a humorous twist to the concert, leaving the crowd in high spirits and Diljit himself grinning as he sang about the popular soft drink.
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Diljit’s spontaneous lyric adjustments proved to be a clever marketing move for Coca-Cola, which benefitted from an influx of free publicity. The video, which featured Diljit singing ‘Pehle Lalkare,’ showed him replacing references to alcohol with Coke in the lyrics. In a light-hearted response, Coca-Cola’s official Instagram page commented on the video, adding their own twist to the lyrics: “Chautha kaam twade gaane japne (fourth task is worshipping your songs).”
The humorous exchange between Diljit and Coca-Cola generated buzz, with social media users pointing out how the soda giant received significant exposure through the unplanned lyrics changes. “Coke has made incredible impressions with the recent tweak in lyrics by Diljit,” one post on X noted. Another user remarked, “This could be a once-in-a-lifetime free offer for Coca-Cola.”
While the lyrics tweaks may have earned Diljit a playful moment with Coca-Cola, he did not hold back in criticizing the Telangana government’s restrictions. After receiving a notice from the government to avoid performing songs that promote alcohol, drugs, or violence, Diljit raised concerns over what he saw as double standards. The singer pointed out that foreign artists are allowed to perform without facing similar limitations, while Indian artists like him are subjected to strict regulations.
What started as an adjustment to comply with state rules turned into a viral moment, drawing attention from fans, the media, and even brands. Diljit’s ability to turn a potentially tricky situation into an entertaining and promotional opportunity not only amused concertgoers but also sparked conversations about censorship, celebrity influence, and the intersection of music and marketing.
