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Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh on Thursday said he was initially sceptical to be part of Imtiaz Ali’s Hindi film Amar Singh Chamkila as he felt the director wouldn’t be able to do justice with the life story of the late revolutionary Punjabi singer.

 

The upcoming drama will narrate the untold true story of Amar Singh Chamkila, who is referred to as the Elvis Presley of Punjab. Regarded as one of the best live-stage performers to have come from Punjab, Chamkila and his wife, singing partner Amarjot were killed in 1988.

 

In the Netflix film, Dosanjh plays the title role with Parineeti Chopra starring as Amarjot.

 

Dosanjh said before Ali approached him for the movie, he had already been part of a Punjabi film titled Jodi, which revolved around the life story of Chamkila and Amarjot. The actor said the movie unfortunately could not see the light of the day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“When I got to know that in Bollywood (Hindi), there’s a film being made on Chamkila, I wondered what (kind) of film they would make.

 

“When I got a call from Imtiaz sir, I thought he would sue us as he has the rights (to Chamkila’s story) and we didn’t have it. But he said, “I want to cast you for the film”. I said, “We already have the story. If you still think that you want to make a film with me, we will see,” Dosanjh said

 

However, Dosanjh’s perception changed after he heard the script of Ali's movie and was amazed by the director's attention to detail.

 

Ali, best known for films such as Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar, said he was keen to explore the story of Chamkila, whom he referred to as a superstar singer.

 

“What I liked about Chamkila is that he is a grassroots superstar, and his songs are still being sung. He is very popular and he was a grassroots-level artist. We felt we should make a film on him,” the director said.

 

Composer AR Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil have contributed to the soundtrack of Amar Singh Chamkila. Dosanjh and Chopra have sung the songs in the movie, which is set to premiere on April 12 on Netflix.