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Amar Singh Chamkila (film)

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Amar Singh Chamkila
Official release poster
Directed byImtiaz Ali
Written byImtiaz Ali
Sajid Ali
Based onAmar Singh Chamkila
Produced byImtiaz Ali
Mohit Choudhary
Starring
CinematographySylvester Fonseca
Edited byAarti Bajaj
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
companies
  • Window Seat Films
  • Select Media Holdings LLP
  • Saregama
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • 8 April 2024 (2024-04-08) (Mumbai)
  • 12 April 2024 (2024-04-12) (Netflix)
Running time
146 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Amar Singh Chamkila is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama film based on the life of musician Amar Singh Chamkila. It is directed, produced and co-written by Imtiaz Ali. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh in the titular role, with Parineeti Chopra as his second wife, Amarjot.[2][3][4]

The film's music is composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics written by Irshad Kamil. Principal photography began in December 2022 and ended in March 2023. The film premiered at Mumbai on 8 April 2024, and released on Netflix on 12 April 2024 and received critical acclaim, with many calling it a return-to-form for Imtiaz Ali's career.[5][6]

Plot

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A humble singer's brash lyrics ignite fame and fury across Punjab as he grapples with soaring success and brutal criticism before his untimely death.

Amar Singh, born in a Chamar family in Punjab was working in a socks manufacturing factory (much to his dismay) as a teenager, whereas his heart and soul were wrenched in creating music. He finally chose to break the shackles and started building contacts with musicians in the state with the help of his acquaintances. He started working under a known musician and singer Jatinder Jinda(Surinder Shinda), who acknowledged his talent and began to use his lyrics in his songs (without giving any credit to Amar Singh). As a blessing in disguise, he got a chance to sing in place of Jinda as he was late and the public went berserk with Amar Singh's performance (the name "Chamkila" was first associated with him at this event) to the extent that they did not want to listen to the lead singer Jinda anymore, such was the power of his voice and lyrics . The rest of the movie follows his life's journey after that event including his unsolved assassination.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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The film marked Imtiaz Ali's return as a director after four years.

Imtiaz Ali announced the film under his banner Window Seat Films. Known for modern relationship dramas such as Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Rockstar (2011) and Tamasha (2015).[7] The film follows the journey of Punjab's original rockstar of the masses, Amar Singh Chamkila, who was assassinated at a young age.[8] Ali termed the film "a unique journey" for him and further added, "Shooting for Chamkila felt like a very different experience as a filmmaker. The film follows the crazed popularity of Chamkila's daring songs that society could neither ignore nor swallow. It helped me reconnect with a different side of myself."[7][9]

The film was initially titled Chamkila and was later changed to Amar Singh Chamkila.[10] Parineeti Chopra and Diljit Dosanjh have sung a total of 15 songs for the film. On this, Chopra stated, "One of the main reasons I did this film was because I was getting to sing some 15 songs for it."[11] The film marks Ali's return as a director after four years, and his films to not release in theatres.[9]

Casting

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Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra were cast as the leads because of them being actors who can sing too.[12]

Diljit Dosanjh was cast to play the titular role of Amar Singh Chamkila. Dosanjh said, "Playing Amar Singh Chamkila has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life."[13]

Parineeti Chopra was cast as Chamkila's second wife, Amarjot Kaur. Chopra left Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, to be a part of the project, due to schedule conflicts. Chopra stated, "It's one of the most exciting films that I've ever worked on."[14][15] For her role in the film, Chopra gained 15 kilos which lead to pregnancy rumours surfing the internet.[16]

On casting Dosanjh and Chopra, Ali stated: "I could not have asked for better actors than the immensely talented Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra to play in this film, especially since it involves some live singing."[9] Later, filmmaker Rahul Mittra was cast in a pivotal role by Ali.[17]

Filming

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The principal photography was started in December 2022.[18] Set primarily in Punjab, the film was shot at real locations throughout the state. Both Chopra and Dosanjh completed the shooting in March 2023, and the filming was wrapped up by the end of March.[19][20] Shooting locations in Punjab including Sangrur, Ludhiana and Mehsampur. A portion has also been shot in Mumbai.[21]

Soundtrack

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Main article: Amar Singh Chamkila (soundtrack)

The soundtrack album and background score are composed by A. R. Rahman. The song lyrics are penned by Irshad Kamil. The soundtrack album was released on March 29, 2024 through the record label Saregama.[22] Unlike the release pattern of music albums of Hindi films on Netflix, the soundtrack was released prior to the film release.[22] On May 29, 2024, the live album of recordings used in the background score of the film was released through the record label Saregama.[23] The 14 tracks, majority of them Dosanjh and Chopra have live recorded in their own voice[24] for their stage performances in the film.[25] Lyricist Irshad Kamil and Rahman designed the songs rooted with rhythm changes and adapted them to the type of Broadway musical.[26] As per him, the soundtrack album is in Punjabi and the parlance of the songs was common than soundtrack of Rockstar.[27] The tracks conveyed philosophy by Chamkila but the genre was pop.[27] Rahman called the music of the film "a very naughty picture".[28] After a musical reconnaissance, Kamil pointed out existent "naughty" Punjabi lyrics sung by females in musical compositions by Chamkila.[29]

Upon release, the soundtrack album received positive review from music critics who acknowledged the careful crafting on tunes, the mood, tone, beats and lyrical phrases. They went on to summarize that the soundtrack album captured the flavor of music from Punjab and well-woven as a musical-like saga.

Release

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The film's premiere was held in Mumbai on 8 April 2024.[30] The film was released on 12 April 2024 on Netflix, coinciding with Baisakhi.[31][32]

Reception

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Amar Singh Chamkila's eldest daughter Amandeep Kaur showed disappointment with Imtiaz Ali. She said Imtiaz Ali didn't do justice with the film by omitting the crucial moments of her family especially her mother Gurmail Kaur performing the last rites of her father. She further said Imtiaz Ali showed everyone from Amarjot's family, the second wife of Amar Singh Chamkila, but no one from her family.[33]

Critical response

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Amar Singh Chamkila received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Dosanjh and Chopra 's performances, the film's soundtrack, and Ali's direction.[a] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10.[37]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated 4/5 stars and observed "Diljit Dosanjh's switch in singing style as he smoothly assumes Amar Singh Chamkila's vocal persona highlights the brilliance of his artistry."[38] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and noted, "The film is mournful and festive, animated and pensive, consciously crafted and seemingly spontaneous."[39] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 3/5 and wrote, "Diljit Dosanjh internalises Amar Singh Chamkila’s hard-scrabble life and pain, and distills it into his fine-grained performance, playing an artiste who lived and died by his beliefs."[40]

Conversely, Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in called it a "choppy narrative that tries a bit too hard to jazz up a simple storyline."[41]

Awards and nominations

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 16 August 2024 Best Film Amar Singh Chamkila Nominated [42][43]
Breakout Film Of The Year Won
Best Director Imtiaz Ali Nominated
Best Actor Diljit Dosanjh Nominated
Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest 4 October 2024 Best Original Film Amar Singh Chamkila Won [44]
Asian Academy Creative Awards TBA Best Feature Film Pending [45]
Best Direction (Fiction) Imtiaz Ali
Best Editing Aarti Bajaj
Best Sound Dhiman Karmakar

References

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  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[34][35][36]
  1. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 11 April 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila teaser out. Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra in Imtiaz Ali's next for Netflix". India Today. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila - Parineeti Chopra had to give singing audition to AR Rahman: I thought gayi picture ab haath se". Bollywood Hungama. 29 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  4. ^ "What was it that Imtiaz Ali said made Diljit Dosanjh cry at 'Amar Singh Chamkila' trailer launch". The Tribune. 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Imtiaz Ali reveals why he chose to release Diljit-Parineeti starrer Amar Singh Chamkila on OTT". DNA India. 31 March 2024. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  6. ^ Ailawadi, Manya (15 April 2024). "'Amar Singh Chamkila' Feels Like A Comeback For Imtiaz Ali & This One Time, It Is About Sheer Love". ScoopWhoop. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Netflix unveils 'Amar Singh Chamkila' first look, Imtiaz Ali calls film 'unique journey'". The Print. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Who was Amar Singh Chamkila? All you need to know about Punjabi singer played by Diljit Dosanjh in Imtiaz Ali's next". India Today. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Imtiaz Ali on Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra starrer Chamkila: It's coming soon". Film Companion. 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Parineeti Chopra gets new haircut for Imtiaz Ali's 'Chamkila'". The Print. 15 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Parineeti Chopra reveals she will be singing 15 songs in Diljit Dosanjh starrer Chamkila". Bollywood Hungama. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra were mandatory in Amar Singh Chamkila, reveals Imtiaz Ali". News18 India. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Diljit Dosanjh to star in Netflix music biopic 'Amar Singh Chamkila'". The Hollywood Reporter. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Rashmika Mandanna comes on board for Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal' after Parineeti Chopra backs out". The Times of India. 29 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Parineeti Chopra talks about slain musicians biopic Chamkila". Variety. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Parineeti Chopra reveals she had to gain 15 kgs for Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila". Filmfare. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Filmmaker Rahul Mittra joins 'Chamkila' star-cast". Filmfare. 10 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Parineeti Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh to begin shooting Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila". The Indian Express. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Parineeti Chopra wraps Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila as Diljit Dosanjh shares her first look: "My life remains forever changed"". Bollywood Hungama. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Diljit Dosanjh shares his first look as he shoots Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila, see photo". Bollywood Hungama. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Diljit Dosanjh says 'film ch kamaal kam kita Parineeti ji ne' as they wrap up shoot for Imtiaz Ali's Chamkila". The Tribune. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Imtiaz Ali's Amar Singh Chamkila Music Album Drops on Saregama Ahead of Release on Netflix". www.india.com. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila - Live Recorded", Saregama, Mumbai, 28 May 2024, retrieved 16 November 2024
  24. ^ "Parineeti Chopra reveals she had to give a 'musical' audition on zoom call to AR Rahman for Amar Singh Chamkila: 'Thought picture gayi haath se'". The Indian Express. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  25. ^ Rawal Kukreja, Monica (12 April 2024). "Amar Singh Chamkila review: Diljit Dosanjh delivers a delectable act in this melodious yet tragic musical biopic". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  26. ^ Wadhwa, Aman. "AR Rahman reveals his core idea behind scoring music for Amar Singh Chamkila: 'You can't do stuff which is...'". DNA India. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  27. ^ a b Bhardwaj, Kartik (10 April 2024). "Even I get bored of my music sometimes: AR Rahman". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  28. ^ "AR Rahman calls Amar Singh Chamkila 'a very naughty picture', says he loves working with Imtiaz Ali". Hindustan Times. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  29. ^ Mitra, Shilajit (1 April 2024). "Imtiaz Ali has reinvented himself with 'Amar Singh Chamkila': AR Rahman". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  30. ^ Sharma, Dishya (9 April 2024). "Imtiaz Ali Gets a Standing Ovation at Amar Singh Chamkila Premiere; Fans Cheer For Diljit Dosanjh". News18. Mumbai. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Diljit Dosanjh, Parineeti Chopra and Imtiaz Ali set to bring Amar Singh Chamkila on Netflix on April 12, see first poster". Bollywood Hungama. 26 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Chamkila: Netflix announces release date of Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra's film; check details here". Hindustan Times. 26 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila's daughter 'upset with Imtiaz Ali' after watching the film". The Asian Mirror. 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  34. ^ Vyavahare, Renuka (12 April 2024). "Amar Singh Chamkila Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  35. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (12 April 2024). "Amar Singh Chamkila Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila Movie Review". Pinkvilla. 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Amar Singh Chamkila Review: WAH!". Rediff. 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  39. ^ Chatterjee, Saibal (12 April 2024). "Amar Singh Chamkila Review: Diljit Dosanjh Is At His Very Best In Deftly Crafted Ode". NDTV. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  40. ^ Gupta, Shubhra (12 April 2024). "Chamkila movie review: Diljit Dosanjh brings a shining sincerity to this moving portrait of an artiste who was both reviled, revered". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  41. ^ Ramnath, Nandini (12 April 2024). "'Amar Singh Chamkila' review: An off-key biopic of the iconic Punjabi singer". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 nominations: Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan, Dunki vie for Best Film with 12th Fail; Diljit Dosanjh, Kartik Aaryan compete for Best Actor". The Indian Express. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 full winners list: 12th Fail is Best Film, Kartik Aaryan declared Best Actor". Hindustan Times. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Bollywood Hungama OTT Awards 2024: Panchayat and Heeramandi win big at the star-studded event". Bollywood Hungama. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Netflix's 'Amar Singh Chamkila', 'Heeramandi' and others nominated at Asian Academy Creative Awards". Telegraph India. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
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