DAMINI SHARMA
The North News
Chandigarh, March 11
Sunanda Sharma, with her expressive eyes and poised demeanor, has long been admired for her elegance and confidence. But beyond the monochrome perfection of her public persona lay years of struggle and silent suffering. The celebrated Punjabi singer and actress has now spoken out, revealing allegations of financial and emotional exploitation at the hands of music producer Pushpinder “Pinky” Dhaliwal.
The controversy Deepened –when Dhaliwal, the head of music labels Mad4Music and Amar Audio, was produced in court, allegedly making the remark that he had “made” Sharma successful. Furious at the comment, Sharma took to Instagram to set the record straight. “Only God and my hard work have made me who I am today,” she wrote.
In another post, she expressed her anguish: “They feed on our hard work and fill their pockets, but later treat us like beggars.” While she refrained from directly naming Dhaliwal, the message was unmistakable.
On March 8, Mohali police arrested Dhaliwal for allegedly cheating and exploiting Sharma. The 33-year-old singer, who boasts an Instagram following of 8.8 million, has accused Dhaliwal of withholding payments and coercing her into performances without fair compensation. According to her claims, her music generated over ₹250 crore in revenue, yet she never received direct payments. “Not a single rupee was given to me directly. This blatant financial exploitation has severely impacted my stability and well-being,” Sharma stated.
Beyond the financial dispute, Sharma alleged prolonged emotional distress. “This is not just about contracts or money,” she wrote. “This is about harassment. About making someone fall sick. About every middle-class artist who gets trapped by exploiters like crocodiles.” She also appealed to the government for intervention and thanked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the media for supporting her.
The Punjab State Women Commission swiftly took notice, directing the police to submit an action-taken report under Section 12 of the Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001. Following this, police arrested Dhaliwal in Mohali. He now faces charges of financial exploitation, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, and forgery. Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Manisha Gulati reaffirmed the body’s commitment to justice. “We will ensure every woman facing harassment gets the support she needs. No one should suffer in silence.”
Sunanda Sharma, best known for hits like Jaani Tera Naa, Sandal, and Mammy Nu Pasand, began her journey by uploading song covers to YouTube. Her career took off with her debut track Billi Akh and led to a Bollywood breakthrough with Tere Naal Nachna. She also ventured into acting, debuting alongside Diljit Dosanjh in Sajjan Singh Rangroot.
Recognized as the “New Boss Lady of the Indian Music Industry,” Sharma has won accolades including Best Debut Female Vocalist at the PTC Punjabi Music Awards and Best Female Act at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards. In 2024, she marked her Cannes Film Festival debut, exuding grace in a red suit with golden threadwork.
But even with such success, her revelations underscore the darker realities of the entertainment industry—where artists, particularly women, often grapple with power imbalances and financial injustice. With the case now under legal scrutiny, Sharma’s voice resonates beyond her music. It is a battle for her rights and for countless others who have endured exploitation in silence. The question remains: will this case spark a larger reckoning within the Punjabi music industry?
