Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
In a small village in Punjab, a young boy grows up watching adults around him sneaking, gallivanting, and engaging in acts of pleasure when they think nobody is watching. As an adult, the boy pours his experiences into saucy songs and ditties, which capture the imagination of multiple generations, propelling him into musical stardom, while also inviting scathing backlash. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the 2024 film “Amar Singh Chamkila” is a fiery musical ode to that little boy with big dreams and stars Diljit Dosanjh in the titular role.
The film opens with a vibrant scene of a small stage surrounded by a packed crowd, all waiting to watch Amar Singh Chamkila and his wife Amarjot Kaur (Parineeti Chopra) perform some of their hit songs. The year is 1988, when Chamkila and his wife were shot dead by unknown assailants. Imtiaz Ali and team immediately pull in the viewers into a tragic, tense setting, before rewinding to show what led to the shocking turn of events. But “Amar Singh Chamkila” isn’t an attempt at unravelling a tragedy or the whys, instead, it’s a spirited celebration of a singer who rose from literal rags to riches and chose to perform his art until his last breath.
Diljit Dosanjh and the music composed by A.R Rahman for this film are the absolute stars of “Amar Singh Chamkila”. From original songs by Amar Singh Chamkila, which are vibrant and folksy in tunes, to fresh lively compositions by Rahman, the movie is laden with tracks you wouldn’t want to skip. The lyrics of most these songs are central to the story, which attract both love and hate for the singer. Sample these lyrics from one of the tamer songs – “There’s no need to be shy anymore. You can drink me up. My youth is out of control. Lick me, scoop me up and lick me, darling I am your sugar.”
One of the central themes explored in “Amar Singh Chamkila” is the delicate balancing act an artist must perform between satisfying their fanbase and fending off detractors. While Chamkila’s albums fly off the shelves, he also faces death threats from radical groups due to his provocative lyrics. Diljit Dosanjh subtly portrays dual shades of his persona, transitioning from a confident singer on stage to a vexed family man who struggles to navigate the mixed reactions to his music. Anjum Batra is riotously entertaining as Kesar Singh Tikki, who helps Chamkila get inducted into the musical circles of Punjab and played the dholak with him for years.
I was slightly apprehensive about how Parineeti Chopra would fit into the film as Chamkila’s singing partner Amarjot Kaur, especially since she doesn’t make her first appearance till at least thirty minutes of the movie are over, all of which is solidly entertaining. However, Parineeti charmingly complements Diljieet’s Chamkila, blending in believably as a small-town-belle who loves to sing. In second half of “Amar Singh Chamkila”, Parineeti looks disinterested in most scenes, and while it was jarring at first, it’s actually in sync with the character’s state of mind – Amarjot can’t handle the criticism of their music as well as Chamkila and the couple also face other personal problems.
Besides the captivating music, the cinematography in “Amar Singh Chamkila” proves to be a visual treat. It’s not just the vibrant colors of Punjab’s musical culture that engage with the audience, but also Imtiaz Ali and his team’s innovative use of various media to enhance storytelling. Playful animations enliven several scenes, particularly those challenging to film conventionally. For instance, one scene depicts Chamkila and his wife performing in a bustling neighborhood, where a terrace collapses under the weight of enthusiastic fans—an event creatively animated for visual impact. Moreover, Imtiaz Ali frequently juxtaposes Chamkila’s scenes or albums with real-life photographs, infusing the narrative with authenticity and paying homage to the original artist.
The generous 2h 25m runtime might prove to be a challenge for some viewers, however, Imtiaz Ali and co-write Sajid Ali spin a watch-worthy tale which is filled with little twists and excellent songs that will keep you invested in “Amar Singh Chamkila” until the end.
You can stream the film on Netflix.
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