Chamkila Trailer: Diljit Dosanjh Portrays the Legendary ‘Highest Record-Selling Artiste of Punjab’ Who Met Tragic Demise in Prime
The highly anticipated trailer for Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming film “Chamkila,” featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, was released on Thursday. The trailer offers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of Amar Singh Chamkila, a Punjabi singer who rose from obscurity to become one of the most beloved artists of his time. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Punjab in the 1980s, the film primarily showcases Hindi dialogue, despite its Punjabi roots.
Diljit, portraying the titular role, captivates the audience as a lovable and charming boy-next-door. Despite facing protests and threats due to his music being deemed “bawdy and vulgar,” Amar Singh Chamkila remains unwavering in his passion for his art. The trailer also introduces Parineeti as Amarjot, his wife. Director Imtiaz Ali shares that both Diljit and Parineeti have lent their voices to sing the original compositions of Amar Singh Chamkila in the film. The music for the film has been masterfully composed by the legendary AR Rahman.
During numerous interviews promoting the film, Imtiaz Ali emphasized that both Diljit and Parineeti sang live for their respective roles. “Chamkila” is based on the true story of the Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila and his wife Amarjot, who gained immense popularity locally before being tragically shot by unknown assailants in 1988. The case surrounding their untimely demise remains unresolved.
In a candid conversation with indianexpress.com, Imtiaz Ali describes the film as a poignant love story between Chamkila and his music. He delves into the emotional journey of a man who, despite experiencing fear and shedding tears in response to the warnings he received, courageously chose to continue pursuing his passion for singing. Years later, fully aware of the risks associated with live performances, he still chose to share his talent with the world.
Amar Singh Chamkila, born as Dhani Ram into an impoverished Dalit family in the village of Dugri, Ludhiana, turned to music as a means to provide for his family. After collaborating with Surinder Sonia and Usha Kiran, Chamkila found his artistic match in Amarjot Kaur, whom he later married. Their songs were like heartfelt conversations, resonating deeply with the masses. Chamkila’s akhadas, free open-air shows, became a magnet for people from all corners of Punjab, eager to witness his mesmerizing performances. His popularity soared, and in one year alone, he astoundingly performed 365 shows.
