Renowned Punjabi artist Amar Singh Chamkila is renowned for his insightful innuendos. This profanity, along with the high-pitched singing and thrilling Tumbi performance, made him furious. Chamkila is played by Diljit Dosanjh in the film. We see Chamkila’s rise from nothing to become one of the most well-known singers in Punjab. The film also depicts his fame and opponents, which may have contributed to his final murder.
Based on an actual tragedy, the musical pays tribute to Amar Singh Chamkila, Punjab’s beloved but disgraced dead singer. He and his wife Amarjot, both members of the ill-fated 27 club, were killed by masked gunmen in the late 1980s. The deaths were preceded by anonymous threats against the artist for writing foul lyrics that mostly objectified women. Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra play the key parts. Well-known for his introspective, heartfelt tales of love and self-discovery, Imtiaz Ali deviates from his typical course only to rediscover who he really is. He delves deeply into a tragedy filled with caste discrimination, bullying by society, moral policing, and prejudice via Chamkila.
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, when the females 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 give him an opportunity to be heard. This symphonic story of pride, survival, and social status is captivating to witness.
