Diljit Dosanjh was apprehensive of starring in Amar Singh Chamkila; says he surrendered to Imtiaz Ali’s vision: “It was matter of pride for me and my people”

Premiering April 12, the film charts the untold true story of Punjab’s original rockstar of the masses, the highest record-selling artist of his time, Amar Singh Chamkila.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

March 1, 2024 - 9:23 AM IST

Imtiaz Ali's upcoming directorial, Amar Singh Chamkila, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, is all set for its release. Shot in real locations, the film promises to transport the audiences to the vibrant and rhythmic world of Punjab's folk music, right to the rustic Akhadaas (live music performances in villages) where Chamkila’s voice would once roar. The film also stars Parineeti Chopra as Amarjot, Chamkila’s wife and singing partner. The makers, at the Next on Netflix event on Thursday, unveiled the first song ‘Ishq Mithaye’ in presence of the cast and music composer AR Rahman and singer Mohit Chauhan.

Diljit Dosanjh was apprehensive of starring in Amar Singh Chamkila; says he surrendered to Imtiaz Ali’s vision: “It was matter of pride for me and my people”

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Diljit said, “I thought I knew a lot about Chamkila, before I met Imtiaz sir. Humein jab pata chala ki Bollywood mein film bann rahi hai Chamkila, toh humein laga ki ye kya banayenge? Hum banayenge, humne Jodi film banayi hai, jiske humein rights nahi mile toh humne fiction bana di (When I got to know that Bollywood was making Chamkila's biopic, I thought, 'how would they even make it?' We will make it. And we did exactly that with the movie, Jodi). I thought they wouldn't be able to make it. So when the pandemic hit, Jodi could not be released and that is when I got a call from Imtiaz Ali sir. I thought he was going to sue us. But he said he wanted to cast me in his film.”

He changed his mind after hearing the story from Imtiaz Ali. “His perspective was different. It was Chamkila’s story, even I didn’t know that well. Amar Singh Chamkila wrote his own music, played it himself, and performed it on stage. So, the fact that such a big film was going to be made on him was a matter of pride for me and my people. I just surrendered to Imtiaz sir’s vision,” he added.

There are six original Hindi songs in the film sung by Mohit Chauhan, Alka Yagnik, Arijit Singh, Kailash Kher, Richa Sharma, Jonita Gandhi, Yashika Sikka and AR Rahman. Adding to the excitement, both Diljit and Parineeti have lent their voices to some of the songs originally sung by Chamkila and Amarjot in Punjabi.

The film is produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films. Premiering April 12, the film charts the untold true story of Punjab’s original rockstar of the masses, the highest record-selling artist of his time, Amar Singh Chamkila, often referred to as the “Elvis Presley of Punjab''.