Spoilers Ahead!
A stage show or ‘akhada’ is visibly upset as their star singer is yet to be scene. Rattled by booing and constant demands for the singer, the organisers turn to a wannabe singer who does odd jobs for this ‘superstar’. Seeing no option, the organisers announce the name of Amar Singh Chamkila, who has been tasked to keep the audience hooked on to the ‘akhara’ till the star singer arrives.
Chamkila, who once made socks at a factory, wins the audience’s hearts with his song, laced with bold lyrics. And there was no looking back for this singer who ruled Punjabi music from 1979 till his mysterious murder in 1988 that remains unsolved.
Imtiaz Ali, who needs no introduction, has helmed this biographical film that streamed on Netflix on Friday. The ace director who gave us the forgettable Love Aaj Kal four years ago just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, has chosen the perfect story to stage a comeback.
Amar Singh Chamkila features Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh who has essayed the role of Chamkila, who remains a cult figure in Punjabi music till date. In his heydays, Chamkila and his wife Amarjot enthralled the audience with their songs, which got them immense fame and brickbats at the same time.
Amar Singh Chamkila’s albums broke one record after another, while the custodians of society accused the duo of contaminating the society with their numbers whose lyrics they deemed it ‘vulgar’. ‘Jis wajah se chamka wo, us wajah se tapka wo’ (The reason that made him a star, led to his death too) vividly depicts the life of this icon.
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