Amar Singh Chamkila (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – Follows the life of pop star duo Amar Singh Chamkila and Amarjot Kaur, whose songs that were social commentaries or devotionals became massive hits in the 80’s.

My Take – With directorial works like Socha Na Tha (2005), Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Rockstar (2011), and Highway (2014), and writing works like Ahista Ahista (2006) and Cocktail (2012) filling up his filmography, once upon a time it seemed like filmmaker Imtiaz Ali could do no wrong.

Particularly earning acclaim for his unconventional storytelling style and for redefining modern day relationships through flawed characters and messy love stories. And then came the back to back failures of, the now deserving cult status, Tamasha (2015), and the incomprehensible mess that were Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017) and Love Aaj Kal (2020).

Though he kept himself busy the following years as a creator, producer and writer of two earnestly made web series, Netflix‘s She and SonyLIV‘s Dr. Arora, his return to feature film-making, thankfully, also sees him find his signature groove back in a really well made biopic about an artist who was a victim of cancel culture in the worst way possible that too even before the birth of social media.

Director Ali‘s latest endeavor works as a poignant exploration of the life and legacy of one of Punjab’s most iconic folk singers: Amar Singh Chamkila. Earning the moniker of “Elvis of Punjab” Chamkila‘s suggestive, yet fluent, commentaries on extramarital affairs, alcohol and drug use, high pitched vocals, novel compositions accompanied with masterful Tumbi made him famous as one of most influential live stage performers that Punjab had ever produced.

Unfortunately with success also came danger, jealously and threats, and on 8 March 1988, Chamkila and his second wife Amarjot, along with two members of their band, were killed, in an assassination that remains unresolved till date.

In this meticulously crafted film, director Imtiaz Ali, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sajid Ali (Laila Majnu), immerses us by forgoing linear narratives and glorified portrayals into the tumultuous world of Chamkila, whose meteoric rise to fame was eclipsed by the shadows of controversy and tragedy.

The story is indeed heart-wrenching and he tells it with utmost honesty and earnestness. Making this one a triumph on every level. Deft direction, coupled with Diljit Dosanjh‘s stellar lead performance, makes this Netflix release a must-watch for all film buffs and music enthusiasts alike.

Undoubtedly, the finest film of 2024 yet.

Opening in 1988 Mehsampur which sees the artist couple being assassinated in front of a waiting audience as soon as they step out of their car, the story then heads back into the past and follows Dhanni Ram (Diljit Dosanjh), who due to being born into a poor family spends his adolescence years working at a factory that manufactures socks. But with music being his true passion, with the aid of Tiki (Anjum Batra), he soon finds himself in the team of the famous singer Jatinder Jinda (Udaybir Sandhu), writing some of his most hit songs.

However, opportunity comes knocking when he finds himself unexpectedly thrust on the main stage to calm an angry crowd due to Jinda’s delayed appearance. Adopting the mispronounced stage name of Amar Singh Chamkila, he ends up leaving everyone mesmerized with his rustic vocals and quirky song lyrics. Becoming an instant sensation.

With a rotating number of female singers alongside him, until finding permanency in Amarjot Kaur (Parineeti Chopra), who later becomes his wife, the both go on to change the face of Punjabi folk music as they travel from one village, town and country to another, leaving the audiences enraptured and spellbound.

But while he amasses a huge fan base, Chamkila also becomes the face of criticism from a section who call out his music for being obscene and offensive. Reprimanded and even threatened for penning lyrics laden with sexual innuendos that have been apparently tarnishing the Punjabi society. This darkness soon takes a catastrophic form for not bowing down to threats.

Seamlessly blend with archival footage and evocative animations, here, director Imtiaz Ali fearlessly delves into the controversial aspects of Chamkila’s life, painting a vivid portrait of a man torn between artistic expression and societal expectations. From his outspoken lyrics to his defiance of cultural norms, Chamkila emerges as a complex figure whose legacy transcends mere music. The film’s evocative imagery serves as a window into the world of 1980s Punjab, a time marked by both cultural renaissance and political unrest.

Sure, a lot of the film is a familiar story, but the individual scenes and the actors are so good that they reinvent the broad beats. You’ll find yourself emotionally invested in his journey, rooting for him as he overcomes obstacles and leaves a lasting legacy. The film fares best in exploring the reputation of his art. It reiterates over and over that Chamkila’s songs were labelled vulgar and obscene.

The snobby crowd repeatedly note that his songs only appealed to a certain section of society, the working class. As one character puts it in a police metaphor that it was the constables who listened to Chamkila. The argument is that Chamkila was producing low-brow art, while his mainstream contemporaries were delivering acclaimed work.

With the terrific quartet of director Imtiaz Ali, music maestro AR Rahman, singer Mohit Chauhan and lyricist Irshad Kamil reuniting, as one would expect, the music is exceptional, adding on the audio-visual extravaganza onscreen.

Indeed, at the heart of the film lies Diljit Dosanjh‘s mesmerizing portrayal. His nuanced performance effortlessly captures the essence of the enigmatic singer, breathing life into his magnetic stage presence and inner turmoil alike. The character of Amar Singh Chamkila was tailor made for him and he pours his heart out into it.

Alongside him, Parineeti Chopra is decent. Surprisingly, both Dosanjh and Chopra crooned Chamkila and Amarjot’s original compositions and these musical pieces hold the film up. On the whole, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ is a melodic masterpiece anchored by a compelling lead performance.