Amar Singh Chamkila Review: Epic On Ordinary Man’s Entertainment Shines With Dilijit Dosanjh’s Class Acting

There is a scene in Imtiaz Ali directed Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra starrer Amar Singh Chamkila in which Chamlila, ‘the Elvis of Punjab’ is being questioned by a journalist on his way of music creation. Then next scene is the heart and soul of the movie and as well as the proper description about the sustenance and survival of an artist: the women of the village are seen dancing and singing Amar Singh Chamkila’s so called ‘dirty’ songs. The best seller and most liked artists are mostly followed by the ordinary mortals, that was the reason for success of Chamkila.

Dilijit Dosanjh, as a famous person from the Bollywood once, is the best actor in India, and also the best thing about the epic film Amar Singh Chamkila. The main character, before he became a famous record artist and performer in India and abroad among the Punjabi population, was a product of his circumstances. His art was the product of his surroundings. He wrote and sang from the experiences he encountered in his surroundings and social milieu. The movie has details on it.

There is more than the story of the dirty or vulgar songs in Chamkila’s life. He lived by his rules. He questioned those who tried to make a problem out of his ‘Chamar’ identity. He was ready to repent and went with the demand of those who complained about his art. But, society and his followers wanted what they liked: his old style of songs – those with the brash and voyeuristic lyrics that ignited the audience’s curiosity.

Diljit Dosanjh has announced his arrival as the best property in Bollywood to anchor serious roles. The ease, the responsibility, the perfection Dosanjh brings to the completion of Chamkila is class performance.

Then Parineeti Chopra as ‘Babbi’ Amarjot Kaur who remained with Chamkila till his last moments, though sidelined by the class performance of Diljit, is giving, probably, the best performance of her career. She is innocent, clever, strong, independent and composed as the companion of Chamkila. First two scenes after her introduction to the movie are gold.

If it’s not AR Rahman, who could be the best option for a movie that is about the life of a musician. Rahman understood the times and music of Chamkila in detail and the execution doesn’t disappoint the viewer.

Imtiaz Ali had a greater responsibility to look into the life of a Punjabi legend and passes the test with flying colours. Imtiaz’s writing with Sajid Ali is effective and lets the viewer stay with the movie even after the culmination was revealed early in the movie.

Then, about the politics in the movie. According to reports, this hasn’t been proved yet about who was the killers of Chamkila and Babbi. But, the movie stays with a central enemy for a long time and gives away the idea that they would be the real killers.

Amar Singh Chamkila is one of the best things to happen in Bollywood in recent times and must watch for those who want to understand Punjab and its love for music.

(The movie is streaming on Netflix)

Timeline rating: 4/5