Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh expressed elation over the two International Emmy nominations for their Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila, India’s sole entry at the 53rd International Emmy Awards. Announced in New York on Thursday, the biographical drama about the slain Punjabi musician secured nods in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category and for Dosanjh’s lead performance, spotlighting Punjab’s cultural and musical heritage on a global stage. The awards gala is set for November 24 in New York City.
Amar Singh Chamkila chronicles the life of the iconic singer, gunned down at 27 in 1988 alongside his wife, Amarjot, amid Punjab’s turbulent socio-political landscape. Ali, 54, described the film as a reflection of “the scent of Punjab—its music, conflicts, aspirations, and challenges,” emphasising its narrative of art born from adversity. “We are thrilled to bring Chamkila’s unique story to the fore,” he said, crediting Dosanjh’s immersive portrayal. “Not for a moment on the shoot was he not Chamkila.”
The film, shot on location in Punjab, competes against Germany’s Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb, the UK’s Lost Boys & Fairies, and Chile’s Vencer o Morir in the mini-series category, while Dosanjh faces David Mitchell (Ludwig, UK), Oriol Pla (Yo, adicto, Spain), and Diego Vasquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Colombia) for Best Actor.
Dosanjh, 41, hailed the nominations as a tribute to Chamkila’s enduring legacy. “I feel truly honoured that an artist from Punjab is being recognised on a prestigious stage like the International Emmys,” he said, thanking Ali for casting him. The film, produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films, features Parineeti Chopra as Amarjot, with A.R. Rahman’s music and Irshad Kamil’s lyrics amplifying its emotional depth.
Netflix India’s Vice President of Content, Monika Shergill, called the nominations a celebration of “an iconic Indian artist whose journey transcended boundaries,” underscoring Netflix’s commitment to authentic local stories with global resonance.
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India has a proud history at the International Emmys, with Delhi Crime winning Best Drama in 2020 and Vir Das securing Best Comedy in 2021 for his special Vir Das: Landing. The nominations for Amar Singh Chamkila reinforce India’s growing influence in global storytelling, particularly through regional narratives.
As Punjab’s folk music and Chamkila’s legacy gain international acclaim, the film’s success highlights the power of collaborative artistry, with Ali and Dosanjh’s synergy earning praise for capturing a turbulent era’s cultural heartbeat.
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