Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila just scored a big win with a nomination for Best TV/Mini-Series at the International Emmy Awards 2025. The biographical drama dives into the life of Punjabi folk singer Amar Singh Chamkila, the man often dubbed the "Elvis of Punjab" for his bold tunes and electrifying shows in the 1980s.
Starring Diljit Dosanjh as Chamkila and Parineeti Chopra as his wife Amarjot Kaur, the movie hit Netflix in April 2024 and quickly won hearts in India and beyond. Its live-recorded folk music and heartfelt storytelling captured the singer’s rise to fame as the era’s top-selling artist, only for his life to end tragically in 1988 when assassins gunned him down at age 27, along with his wife.
Director Imtiaz Ali, fresh off hits like Rockstar, Jab We Met, and Love Aaj Kal, couldn’t hide his excitement. "Sajid and I were together when the news broke," he told , referring to his brother and co-writer Sajid Ali. "The one good thing we did was not fictionalize Chamkila’s story." Ali approached the project like a detective, digging deep into the singer’s real life instead of relying on books or easy plots. "We avoided convenient narratives," he said. "Some scenes felt undramatic or illogical, but that pulled us deeper into who Chamkila really was."
For Ali, crafting Amar Singh Chamkila felt refreshing. "I wasn’t just imagining scenes—I was uncovering the truth," he explained. He skipped Bollywood drama tropes to keep things authentic, though he had to cut dramatic real-life elements like caste politics to stay focused. At its core, the film spotlights Chamkila’s unbreakable love for music. "He gave up everything for it, even his life," Ali noted. "It wasn’t about greed; he led a simple life but couldn’t quit performing. That’s the love story here—between him and his music."
Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s VP of Content, praised the film’s boldness. "Imtiaz broke rules and experimented wildly," she said to . "It’s not your typical biopic—it’s disruptive, fresh, and pure artist vision."
Fans and critics alike rave about how Amar Singh Chamkila brings Punjab’s folk music scene to life, blending raw energy with emotional depth. With this Emmy nod, the movie cements its spot as a standout in Indian cinema on the global stage.
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