Overview
Amar Singh Chamkila The musical, which is based on a real tragedy, pays tribute to Punjab’s well-known but disgraced deceased singer, Amar Singh Chamkila. He and his wife Amarjot were murdered and killed in the late 1980s by masked gunmen who belonged to the ill-fated 27 club. Anonymous threats against the musician for writing pornographic lyrics that mostly objectified women were made before the killings. The main actors are Parineeti Chopra and Diljit Dosanjh.
Review
Well-known for his introspective, heartfelt tales of love and self-discovery, Imtiaz Ali deviates from his typical course only to rediscover who he is. He delves deeply into a tragedy rife with caste discrimination, bullying by society, moral policing, and prejudice through Chamkila.
Imtiaz’s vision is poignant, thought-provoking, and poetic; it evokes strong feelings. This realistic but sympathetic biopic forces you to examine yourself. Are our survivors our slaves? What is the definition of art? Who has the last say over what constitutes art? Is a celebrity without integrity really that important? Is it fair to expect someone to live a life filled with hatred and shame because of decisions they made based on their situation? Lastly, can you distinguish between the artist and the work of art? We are free to criticize, but are we also allowed to outright forbid?
Imtiaz’s main protagonists, whether they be Ved-Tara from Tamasha, Jordan from Rockstar, or Jai and Meera from Love Aaj Kal, are frequently nonconformists—sometimes even without realizing it. They don’t choose to be disobedient. The goal is to live more freely and transparently while also seeking meaning in life. Chamkila is a capable heir. Though he doesn’t view society as heroic in the traditional sense, he does not submit to bullying. In addition to being entertaining, the movie offers societal commentary on repressed sensuality, the politics of religious radicals, and the (offline) cancel culture of the 1980s and 1990s.
The two-hour and twenty-five-minute film is packed with content and offers a lot to digest, considering its nonlinear storytelling, genre-hopping (documentary drama, musical, semi-investigative), and political insight. Punjab is seen as an excessive condition because of its intense control, passion, and love. Although the second half gets monotonous at times, Diljit’s rustic voice and AR Rahman’s background score keep the song moving forward. The actor-singer steals the show in this performance that will go on to define his career. He plays his part with the ideal balance of tension, impatience, and humility. Although it’s unrealistic to expect Parineeti to sing as well as Diljit, she has a charming demeanor, yet in key passages, her performance falls short.
The one-liners are funny and the camera technique is particularly good in Naram Kalja, where the girls speak directly to the camera.
In light of Chamkila’s dubious reputation and unrepentant outlook on life, the movie neither exalts nor excuses his behavior. All it does is allow him to be heard. This symphonic story of pride, survival, and social status is captivating to witness.
