Amar Singh Chamkila (film) explained

Amar Singh Chamkila
Director:Imtiaz Ali
Based On:Amar Singh Chamkila
Producer:Imtiaz Ali
Mohit Choudhary
Starring:
Music:A. R. Rahman
Cinematography:Sylvester Fonseca
Editing:Aarti Bajaj
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:146 minutes[1]
Country:India
Language:Hindi

Amar Singh Chamkila is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama film based on the life of musician Amar Singh Chamkila. It is directed, produced and co-written by Imtiaz Ali. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh in the titular role, with Parineeti Chopra as his second wife, Amarjot.[2] [3] [4]

The film's music is composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics written by Irshad Kamil. Principal photography began in December 2022 and ended in March 2023. The film premiered at Mumbai on 8 April 2024, and released on Netflix on 12 April 2024 and received critical acclaim, with many calling it a return-to-form for Imtiaz Ali's career.[5] [6]

Plot

A humble singer's brash lyrics ignite fame and fury across Punjab as he grapples with soaring success and brutal criticism before his untimely death.

Amar Singh, born in a Chamar family in Punjab was working in a socks manufacturing factory (much to his dismay) as a teenager, whereas his heart and soul were wrenched in creating music. He finally chose to break the shackles and started building contacts with musicians in the state with the help of his acquaintances. He started working under a known musician and singer Jatinder Jinda(Surinder Shinda), who acknowledged his talent and began to use his lyrics in his songs (without giving any credit to Amar Singh). As a blessing in disguise, he got a chance to sing in place of Jinda as he was late and the public went berserk with Amar Singh's performance (the name "Chamkila" was first associated with him at this event) to the extent that they did not want to listen to the lead singer Jinda anymore, such was the power of his voice and lyrics . The rest of the movie follows his life's journey after that event including his unsolved assassination.

Production

Development

Imtiaz Ali announced the film under his banner Window Seat Films. Known for modern relationship dramas such as Jab We Met (2007), Hindi: [[Love Aaj Kal (2009 film)|Love Aaj Kal]] (2009), Rockstar (2011) and Tamasha (2015).[7] The film follows the journey of Punjab's original rockstar of the masses, Amar Singh Chamkila, who was assassinated at a young age.[8] Ali termed the film "a unique journey" for him and further added, "Shooting for Chamkila felt like a very different experience as a filmmaker. The film follows the crazed popularity of Chamkila's daring songs that society could neither ignore nor swallow. It helped me reconnect with a different side of myself."[9]

The film was initially titled Chamkila and was later changed to Amar Singh Chamkila.[10] Parineeti Chopra and Diljit Dosanjh have sung a total of 15 songs for the film. On this, Chopra stated, "One of the main reasons I did this film was because I was getting to sing some 15 songs for it."[11] The film marks Ali's return as a director after four years, and his films to not release in theatres.

Casting

Diljit Dosanjh was cast to play the titular role of Amar Singh Chamkila. Dosanjh said, "Playing Amar Singh Chamkila has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life."[12]

Parineeti Chopra was cast as Chamkila's second wife, Amarjot Kaur. Chopra left Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, to be a part of the project, due to schedule conflicts. Chopra stated, "It's one of the most exciting films that I've ever worked on."[13] [14] For her role in the film, Chopra gained 15 kilos which lead to pregnancy rumours surfing the internet.[15]

On casting Dosanjh and Chopra, Ali stated: "I could not have asked for better actors than the immensely talented Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra to play in this film, especially since it involves some live singing." Later, filmmaker Rahul Mittra was cast in a pivotal role by Ali.[16]

Filming

The principal photography was started in December 2022.[17] Set primarily in Punjab, the film was shot at real locations throughout the state. Both Chopra and Dosanjh completed the shooting in March 2023, and the filming was wrapped up by the end of March.[18] [19] Shooting locations in Punjab including Sangrur, Ludhiana and Mehsampur. A portion has also been shot in Mumbai.[20]

Soundtrack

See main article: article. The soundtrack album and background score are composed by A. R. Rahman. The song lyrics are penned by Irshad Kamil. The soundtrack album was released on March 29, 2024 through the record label Saregama.[21] Unlike the release pattern of music albums of Hindi films on Netflix, the soundtrack was released prior to the film release. On May 29, 2024, the live album of recordings used in the background score of the film was released through the record label Saregama. The 14 tracks, majority of them Dosanjh and Chopra have live recorded in their own voice[22] for their stage performances in the film.[23] Lyricist Irshad Kamil and Rahman designed the songs rooted with rhythm changes and adapted them to the type of Broadway musical.[24] As per him, the soundtrack album is in Punjabi and the parlance of the songs was common than soundtrack of Rockstar.[25] The tracks conveyed philosophy by Chamkila but the genre was pop. Rahman called the music of the film "a very naughty picture".[26] After a musical reconnaissance, Kamil pointed out existent "naughty" Punjabi lyrics sung by females in musical compositions by Chamkila.[27]

Upon release, the soundtrack album received positive review from music critics who acknowledged the careful crafting on tunes, the mood, tone, beats and lyrical phrases. They went on to summarize that the soundtrack album captured the flavor of music from Punjab and well-woven as a musical-like saga.

Release

The film's premiere was held in Mumbai on 8 April 2024.[28] The film was released on 12 April 2024 on Netflix, coinciding with Baisakhi.[29] [30]

Reception

Amar Singh Chamkila's eldest daughter Amandeep Kaur showed disappointment with Imtiaz Ali. She said Imtiaz Ali didn't do justice with the film by omitting the crucial moments of her family especially her mother Gurmail Kaur performing the last rites of her father. She further said Imtiaz Ali showed everyone from Amarjot's family, the second wife of Amar Singh Chamkila, but no one from her family.[31]

Critical response

Amar Singh Chamkila received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Dosanjh and Chopra 's performances, the film's soundtrack, and Ali's direction.

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated 4/5 stars and observed "Diljit Dosanjh's switch in singing style as he smoothly assumes Amar Singh Chamkila's vocal persona highlights the brilliance of his artistry."[32] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and noted, "The film is mournful and festive, animated and pensive, consciously crafted and seemingly spontaneous."[33] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 3/5 and wrote, "Diljit Dosanjh internalises Amar Singh Chamkila’s hard-scrabble life and pain, and distills it into his fine-grained performance, playing an artiste who lived and died by his beliefs."[34]

Conversely, Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in called it a "choppy narrative that tries a bit too hard to jazz up a simple storyline."[35]

Awards and nominations

AwardDate of ceremony Category Recipient(s)Result Ref(s)
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne16 August 2024Best FilmAmar Singh Chamkila[36] [37]
Breakout Film Of The Year
Best Director Imtiaz Ali
Best Actor Diljit Dosanjh
Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest4 October 2024Best Original FilmAmar Singh Chamkila[38]
Filmfare OTT Awards1 December 2024Best Film – Web Original [39] [40]
Best Director – Web Original Imtiaz Ali
Best Actor in a Web Original Film – Male Diljit Dosanjh
Best Actor in a Web Original Film – Female Parineeti Chopra
Best Original Soundtrack – Web Original A. R. Rahman
Best Background Music – Web Original
Best Original Screenplay – Web Original Imtiaz Ali, Sajid Ali
Best Dialogue – Web Original
Best Cinematography – Web Original Sylvester Fonseca
Best Editing – Web Original Aarti Bajaj
Best Sound Design – Web Original Dhiman Karmakar
Asian Academy Creative AwardsTBABest Feature FilmAmar Singh Chamkila[41]
Best Direction (Fiction)Imtiaz Ali
Best Editing Aarti Bajaj
Best SoundDhiman Karmakar

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amar Singh Chamkila (15) . . 11 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . 5 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505152236/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/amar-singh-chamkila-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiwodc1 . live.
  2. Web site: Amar Singh Chamkila teaser out. Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra in Imtiaz Ali's next for Netflix . 12 June 2023 . 30 May 2023 . India Today . 7 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607113905/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/binge-watch/story/amar-singh-chamkila-teaser-out-diljit-dosanjh-is-punjabs-original-rockstar-in-imtiaz-alis-next-2386320-2023-05-30 . live.
  3. Web site: Amar Singh Chamkila - Parineeti Chopra had to give singing audition to AR Rahman: I thought gayi picture ab haath se . 30 March 2024 . 29 March 2024 . Bollywood Hungama . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195053/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/amar-singh-chamkila-parineeti-chopra-give-singing-audition-stuck-traffic-imtiaz-ali-diljit-dosanjh-ar-rahman-zoom-call-thought-gayi-picture-ab-haath-se/ . live.
  4. Web site: What was it that Imtiaz Ali said made Diljit Dosanjh cry at 'Amar Singh Chamkila' trailer launch . 31 March 2024 . 3 March 2024 . The Tribune . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195100/https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/what-was-it-that-imtiaz-ali-said-made-diljit-dosanjh-cry-like-a-kid-at-amar-singh-chamkila-trailer-launch-605646 . live.
  5. Web site: Imtiaz Ali reveals why he chose to release Diljit-Parineeti starrer Amar Singh Chamkila on OTT . 31 March 2024 . 31 March 2024 . DNA India . 31 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240331163823/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-imtiaz-ali-reveals-why-he-chose-to-release-diljit-dosanjh-parineeti-chopra-amar-singh-chamkila-on-ott-netflix-3083542 . live.
  6. Web site: 'Amar Singh Chamkila' Feels Like A Comeback For Imtiaz Ali & This One Time, It Is About Sheer Love . Ailawadi . Manya . 15 April 2024 . . 3 June 2024.
  7. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Netflix unveils 'Amar Singh Chamkila' first look, Imtiaz Ali calls film 'unique journey' . 29 September 2023 . The Print . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195115/https://theprint.in/feature/netflix-unveils-amar-singh-chamkila-first-look-imtiaz-ali-calls-film-unique-journey/1602225/?amp . live.
  8. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Who was Amar Singh Chamkila? All you need to know about Punjabi singer played by Diljit Dosanjh in Imtiaz Ali's next . 18 August 2023 . India Today . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195104/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/binge-watch/story/who-was-amar-singh-chamkila-all-you-need-to-know-about-punjabi-singer-played-by-diljit-dosanjh-in-imtiaz-alis-next-2386462-2023-05-30 . live.
  9. Web site: 4 October 2023 . Imtiaz Ali on Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra starrer Chamkila: It's coming soon . 28 November 2023 . Film Companion . en . 9 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231009222908/https://www.filmcompanion.in/amp/story/news/imtiaz-ali-on-diljit-dosanjh-starrer-chamkila-its-coming-soon . live.
  10. Web site: 15 December 2022 . Parineeti Chopra gets new haircut for Imtiaz Ali's 'Chamkila' . 28 July 2023 . The Print . en . 26 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226102954/https://theprint.in/feature/parineeti-chopra-gets-new-haircut-for-imtiaz-alis-chamkila/1266546/?amp . live.
  11. Web site: 16 February 2024 . Parineeti Chopra reveals she will be singing 15 songs in Diljit Dosanjh starrer Chamkila . 21 February 2024 . Bollywood Hungama . en . 17 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217214857/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/parineeti-chopra-reveals-will-singing-15-songs-diljit-dosanjh-starrer-chamkila-says-co-star-diljit-heard-sing-told-pursue/ . live.
  12. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Diljit Dosanjh to star in Netflix music biopic 'Amar Singh Chamkila' . 25 October 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195156/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/diljit-dosanjh-netflix-biopic-amar-singh-chamkila-1235503121/amp/ . live.
  13. News: 29 March 2022 . Rashmika Mandanna comes on board for Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal' after Parineeti Chopra backs out . The Times of India . 12 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 10 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220710112058/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rashmika-mandanna-comes-on-board-for-ranbir-kapoors-animal-after-parineeti-chopra-backs-out-report/articleshow/90514169.cms?from=mdr . live.
  14. Web site: 6 February 2023 . Parineeti Chopra talks about slain musicians biopic Chamkila . 22 September 2023 . Variety . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195211/https://variety.com/2023/film/asia/parineeti-chopra-chamkila-capsule-gill-1235514178/amp/ . live.
  15. Web site: 4 December 2023 . Parineeti Chopra reveals she had to gain 15 kgs for Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila . 10 December 2023 . Filmfare . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195157/https://m.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/parineeti-chopra-reveals-she-had-to-gain-15-kgs-for-imtiaz-alis-chamkila-62936.amp . live.
  16. Web site: 10 January 2023 . Filmmaker Rahul Mittra joins 'Chamkila' star-cast . 24 February 2023 . Filmfare . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195221/https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/filmmaker-rahul-mittra-joins-chamkila-star-cast20230110123815/ . live.
  17. Web site: 9 December 2022 . Parineeti Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh to begin shooting Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila . 19 December 2022 . The Indian Express . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195151/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/parineeti-chopra-diljit-dosanjh-to-begin-shooting-imtiaz-alis-chamkila-8316029/lite/ . live.
  18. Web site: 6 March 2023 . Parineeti Chopra wraps Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila as Diljit Dosanjh shares her first look: "My life remains forever changed" . 26 September 2023 . Bollywood Hungama . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195840/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/parineeti-chopra-wraps-imtiaz-alis-chamkila-diljit-dosanjh-shares-first-look-life-remains-forever-changed/ . live.
  19. Web site: 27 February 2023 . Diljit Dosanjh shares his first look as he shoots Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila, see photo . 11 September 2023 . Bollywood Hungama . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195658/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/diljit-dosanjh-shares-first-look-shoots-imtiaz-alis-chamkila-see-photo/ . live.
  20. Web site: 6 March 2023 . Diljit Dosanjh says 'film ch kamaal kam kita Parineeti ji ne' as they wrap up shoot for Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila . 15 September 2023 . The Tribune . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195658/https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/diljit-dosanjh-says-film-ch-kamaal-kam-kita-prineeti-ji-ne-as-they-wrap-up-shoot-for-imtiaz-alis-chamkila-485746 . live.
  21. Web site: Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila Music Album Drops on Saregama Ahead of Release on Netflix . 2024-11-16 . www.india.com . en.
  22. Web site: 2024-03-28 . Parineeti Chopra reveals she had to give a ‘musical’ audition on zoom call to AR Rahman for Amar Singh Chamkila: ‘Thought picture gayi haath se’ . subscription . 2024-11-17 . The Indian Express . en.
  23. Web site: Rawal Kukreja . Monica . April 12, 2024 . Amar Singh Chamkila review: Diljit Dosanjh delivers a delectable act in this melodious yet tragic musical biopic . November 17, 2024 . Hindustan Times.
  24. Web site: Wadhwa . Aman . AR Rahman reveals his core idea behind scoring music for Amar Singh Chamkila: 'You can't do stuff which is...' . 2024-11-16 . DNA India . en.
  25. Web site: Bhardwaj . Kartik . 2024-04-10 . Even I get bored of my music sometimes: AR Rahman . 2024-11-16 . The New Indian Express . en.
  26. Web site: March 20, 2024 . AR Rahman calls Amar Singh Chamkila 'a very naughty picture', says he loves working with Imtiaz Ali . November 16, 2024 . Hindustan Times.
  27. News: Mitra . Shilajit . 2024-04-01 . Imtiaz Ali has reinvented himself with ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’: AR Rahman . 2024-11-16 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  28. News: Sharma . Dishya . 9 April 2024 . Imtiaz Ali Gets a Standing Ovation at Amar Singh Chamkila Premiere; Fans Cheer For Diljit Dosanjh . . Mumbai . 12 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415195701/https://www.news18.com/movies/imtiaz-ali-gets-a-standing-ovation-at-amar-singh-chamkila-premiere-fans-cheer-for-diljit-dosanjh-watch-8845068.html . live.
  29. Web site: Diljit Dosanjh, Parineeti Chopra and Imtiaz Ali set to bring Amar Singh Chamkila on Netflix on April 12, see first poster . 26 February 2024 . Bollywood Hungama . 26 February 2024 . 26 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226055624/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/diljit-dosanjh-parineeti-chopra-imtiaz-ali-set-bring-amar-singh-chamkila-netflix-april-12-see-first-poster/ . live.
  30. Web site: Chamkila: Netflix announces release date of Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra's film; check details here . 26 February 2024 . Hindustan Times . 26 February 2024 . 26 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226061404/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/chamkila-netflix-announces-release-date-of-diljit-dosanjh-parineeti-chopra-film-101708926010216-amp.html . live.
  31. Web site: 2 May 2024 . Amar Singh Chamkila's daughter 'upset with Imtiaz Ali' after watching the film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240502053209/https://theasianmirror.com/latest/51033/amar-singh-chamkilas-daughter-upset-with-imtiaz-ali-after-watching-the-film/ . 2 May 2024 . 2 May 2024 . The Asian Mirror.
  32. Web site: Amar Singh Chamkila Review: WAH! . 12 April 2024 . Rediff . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415194809/https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/amar-singh-chamkila-review/20240412.htm . live.
  33. News: Saibal . Chatterjee . Amar Singh Chamkila Review: Diljit Dosanjh Is At His Very Best In Deftly Crafted Ode . . 12 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412154101/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/amar-singh-chamkila-review-diljit-dosanjh-is-at-his-very-best-in-deftly-crafted-ode-3-5-stars-5425035 . live.
  34. News: Shubhra . Gupta . Chamkila movie review: Diljit Dosanjh brings a shining sincerity to this moving portrait of an artiste who was both reviled, revered . . 12 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412082114/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/amar-singh-chamkila-movie-review-diljit-dosanjh-imtiaz-ali-shining-sincerity-moving-portrait-of-artiste-9265835/ . live.
  35. News: Ramnath . Nandini . 12 April 2024 . 'Amar Singh Chamkila' review: An off-key biopic of the iconic Punjabi singer . . 21 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240412092401/https://scroll.in/reel/1066200/amar-singh-chamkila-review-an-off-key-biopic-of-the-iconic-punjabi-singer . live.
  36. News: 10 July 2024 . Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 nominations: Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan, Dunki vie for Best Film with 12th Fail; Diljit Dosanjh, Kartik Aaryan compete for Best Actor . The Indian Express . 15 July 2024.
  37. News: 16 August 2024 . Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 full winners list: 12th Fail is Best Film, Kartik Aaryan declared Best Actor . Hindustan Times . 17 August 2024.
  38. News: 5 October 2024 . Bollywood Hungama OTT Awards 2024: Panchayat and Heeramandi win big at the star-studded event . Bollywood Hungama . 5 October 2024.
  39. Web site: Nominations for the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024: Full List. 28 November 2023. 29 November 2023. en-In.
  40. Web site: Winners of the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024: Full List Out . 1 December 2024 . 2 December 2024 . Filmfare.
  41. News: 26 September 2024 . Netflix's 'Amar Singh Chamkila', 'Heeramandi' and others nominated at Asian Academy Creative Awards . Telegraph India . 28 September 2024.

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