It was exactly two years ago that the excitement of “Naatu Naatu” engulfed the West. It was like a scene from RRR where foreigners are asking each other, “What is Naatsu?” Yet, we danced to it as if we were in a single-screen theater in Hyderabad. Music has become bigger than movies, and Indian cinema, which boasts a culture of song and dance, has reached its moment on the world stage. Now in 2025, India can once again have that moment with Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light. But while audiences and so-called film experts debate whether Laapata Ladies is a worthy choice for the Oscars, Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Amar Singh Chamkira could become India’s signature film. No one seriously debated whether there was. Perhaps it was a missed opportunity.
The excitement of watching ‘Naatu Naatu’ on the Oscars stage was enough to keep us up at a ridiculous hour, so imagine what we could expect if Diljit were to perform there. 2024 was definitely the year of Diljit Dosanjh on a global scale. His moment on the international stage began at Coachella in 2023 and continued with the Diluminati tour in 2024. He has sold over 70 million rupees worth of tickets worldwide, and resellers in North America have sold tickets for his shows for a staggering 54 million rupees. At his shows in India, people spent a lot of money to see him perform live, and most of them had an unforgettable experience. Diljit knows how to hypnotize a stadium full of fans and make them cheer for him and with him, but he also knows how to sprinkle magic when he’s on screen. , that’s what he did with Amar Singh Chamkira.
Diljit’s performance in Amar Singh Chamkira was one of the most mesmerizing movie-watching experiences of 2024. And when it came to packaging this film for an international audience, everything fell into place. The story of a real-life musician from rural India. Surviving caste systems, riots and social tensions, he managed to become the Elvis Presley of Punjab, but was shot dead by unknown assailants at the age of 27. The story presented by Imtiaz Ali was different from the traditional biopics we have seen in mainstream cinema and the musical style of the film was a notch above the usual song and dance films. It was the kind of desi experience that showcased Indian culture but didn’t ignore the uncomfortable truths that lay under the carpet. The unstable times of the 1980s, social injustice, and even social hypocrisy. Everything fits into this musical.
Diljit Dosanjh in Amar Singh Chamkira.
Also read | Biographical film ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’: Introducing the ‘Elvis of Punjab’ who was killed at the age of 27
Amar Singh Chamkira was a Netflix production. That means the film could be promoted internationally by a company known for its deep pockets and a history of pushing non-English content onto global platforms. A month after the film’s release, Netflix held a premiere in Los Angeles to promote Heera Mandi as India’s next big thing. A few months after the film’s release, Diljit was touring the US, where he also appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show, another historic moment for the Indian artist. While he was there for the tour, one might wonder why Netflix didn’t take the opportunity to develop him into a world-class triple threat player who could actually sell packed stadiums. . Additionally, the film also features past Oscar winner AR Rahman and could have been positioned as an Indian musical experience.
It was a little shocking that Amar Singh Chamkira wasn’t even in the list of 29 films submitted to the Film Federation of India. The Film Federation of India ultimately selects Indian films for the Oscars. This was the pool where films like Animal, Kalki of 2898 AD and even Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Dumyaan were screened, but Amar Singh Chamkira was not here. Of course, one of the criteria for Academy Award eligibility is that a film must be in theaters for one week, but that wasn’t the case here. But if the filmmakers had positioned the film as an Oscar contender, they could have done it. Even if this was ignored by FFI, like Payal Kapadia’s film, they could still have entered the contest on their own.
Parineeti Chopra and Diljit Dosanjh in Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkira.
Also Read | The untold story of Diljit Dosanjh: The son of a road driver in Punjab, he released his first album at the age of 16. Brought Punjabi to Coachella and the world
In an interview with Film Companion during the promotions of Amar Singh Chamkira, Diljit came across as a humble artist who surrenders to the director and has no explanations for his process. He hinted that he could not write a treatise explaining how to prepare for a role, but that he could perform it with the utmost sincerity. He also said that he sees himself as a musician rather than an actor, which perhaps is what pushed him to play Chamkira in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re watching a performance.
2024 has been a great year for Diljit and his fans. I would have been very happy if he had been the artist representing India on the Oscar stage. Perhaps that’s next on his list.
Discover the benefits of subscription!
Stay informed with access to our award-winning journalism.
Avoid misinformation with reliable, accurate reporting.
Make smarter decisions with key insights.
Choose your subscription package
Click for more entertainment updates and latest Bollywood news. Also, stay updated with the latest news and top headlines from India and around the world on The Indian Express.
