In the world of Indian cinema, a new portrayal of a Punjabi icon has just made its mark on the streaming service Netflix. The film, directed by renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, is titled ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ and features the untold story of a man who resonated with the hearts of the masses in the 80s. Diljit Dosanjh, cast in the lead role, embodies Amar Singh Chamkila, Punjab’s trailblazer in the music scene. Alongside him, Parineeti Chopra lends her talent, rounding off an ensemble that critics and fans have taken to with enthusiasm.
The buzz around the movie has been substantial, with Imtiaz Ali sharing intriguing insights on the casting of the lead role. On an appearance at the Great Indian Kapil Show, Ali revealed an anecdote that solidifies Diljit Dosanjh’s status in Indian acting circles. The director recollected a conversation he had with none other than Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan. “Diljit Dosanjh is the best actor in the country,” King Khan confided to Ali, a statement that echoes through the industry. According to Ali, without Dosanjh’s unique presence, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ might never have come to fruition.
As Ali reminisced, “Shah Rukh Khan once told me that Diljit Dosanjh is the best actor in the country. I feel that if Diljit paaji had refused to do this film, then we could have never made it. So, we were very lucky.” He praised his cast profusely, stressing the dedication of Parineeti Chopra, who was immediately prepared to gain weight for her character, exemplifying the commitment that went into the film.
The journey to casting Diljit Dosanjh, nevertheless, was not devoid of doubts. In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, Imtiaz Ali expressed initial skepticism, one that many might find surprising given Dosanjh’s eventual tour-de-force performance. “I wasn’t sure whether it was gonna work out with Diljit for some reason. I thought he might not be able to do it, etc. So I didn’t approach him in the beginning, but it’s a little later that I did,” said Ali. Upon engaging with Dosanjh, Ali’s reservations dissipated, and he became certain that the actor was indisputable for the role.
“Amar Singh Chamkila” itself delves into the life of a figure who was more than a musician; he was a sensation. Amar Singh Chamkila rose from the depths of poverty to become a record-selling artist, whose music struck a chord with the common folk and stirred the pot of controversy amidst an era of traditional norms. His life, as dramatic as his music, ended abruptly and tragically at the tender age of 27, assassinated due to unnamed grievances made manifest.
In bringing Chamkila’s story to screen, Imtiaz Ali has contributed yet another layer to the multifaceted narrative of Punjab’s cultural legacy. The film not only honors the legend but also showcases the talents of actors like Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, who have fully immersed themselves in their characters, perhaps in ways not even the director could have initially imagined. Ali, hindsight in hand, now asserts that he cannot envision anyone apart from Dosanjh and Chopra in the roles of Chamkila and Amarjot.
It is through such projects that the spectrums of Indian cinema expand, bringing forth subjects long awaited to be explored. With endorsements from Shah Rukh Khan and a platform of international visibility, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ and Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal thereof seem poised to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of film and open conversations on the legends that once lived and their stories that yearn to be told.
