- By Swati Singh
- Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Renowned for his creative storytelling in Bollywood, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is set to captivate audiences once again with an enthralling tale centered around the late Punjabi singer, Amar Singh Chamkila. Scheduled to stream on Netflix starting from April 12, the film features Diljit Dosanjh portraying the titular role of Amar Singh Chamkila, while Parineeti Chopra steps into the shoes of his wife, Amarjot.
Also known as the rising star of Punjab, Amar Singh Chamkila was renowned for his lively language, commanding vocals, and inventive music compositions enriched with skillfully performed Tumbi melodies. Unfortunately, he and Amarjot were brutally murdered at the tender age of 27, leaving behind a profound impact not just within the state of Punjab, but resonating across the entire nation. But, what was the reason for the demise of Amar Singh Chamkila? Before knowing that, let us know about the singer.
Who Was Amar Singh Chamkila?
Amar Singh Chamkila, originally named Dhanni Ram, was born on July 21, 1960, into a Sikh family belonging to the Dalit community in the village of Dugri, situated near Ludhiana in Punjab, India. Despite harboring dreams of becoming an electrician, his aspirations went unfulfilled, and he eventually secured employment at a cloth mill in Ludhiana.
Brutal Murder Of Amar Singh Chamkila & Amarjot
Arriving to perform in Mehsampur, Punjab, Chamkila and his wife Amarjot faced a tragic fate on March 8, 1988, around 2 PM. As they exited their vehicle, a gang of motorcyclists unleashed a hail of gunfire, fatally injuring the couple and others in their entourage. Despite extensive investigations, no arrests were ever made in connection to the shooting, leaving the case unsolved.
Chamkila’s Death Remains A Mystery
While it's speculated that Sikh militants may have been behind the attack, this theory was contested by Chamkila's close friend and lyricist, Swarn Sivia. Having conducted his own investigation, Sivia believed otherwise, asserting that throughout his life, he continued to seek answers to Chamkila's untimely demise. Sivia even went as far as meeting with militants to apologise and promised to alter the themes of Chamkila's songs. As a result, Chamkila shifted his focus to performing timeless songs about Sikh history, such as 'Sathon Baba Kho Laya Tera Nankana'. Despite ongoing doubts, Swarn Sivia remained steadfast in his quest to uncover the truth behind the murder.
Amar Singh Chamkila Controversies
Chamkila's albums were sold without any warning about their adult themes and sexually explicit content, despite children often being present at his open-air stage shows. His songs predominantly revolved around themes of alcoholism and explicit content focused on women.
"Jija Lakk Minle" suggests infidelity with a sister-in-law.
"Gora Gora Rang Jatta Akh Mastani" addresses pedophilia, with advances made toward a pubescent girl.
"Pekeyan De Ghar Mein Changi" portrays domestic violence and sexual exploitation of a wife.
"Pehle Lalkare Naal" deals with alcoholism and its resulting domestic violence.
"Patua Pattan Nu Phirda" also explores the theme of pedophilia (condition of being sexually attracted to children).
Despite the controversial themes, Chamkila's albums were widely popular, gaining a cult following due to Punjabi idioms, compositions, and melodious Tumbi music.
Do You Know Amar Singh Chamkila Had Two Wives?
His personal life was equally controversial, as he entered into a second marriage with Amarjot without legally divorcing his first wife, which is illegal in India. Both wives reportedly accepted their situation, although Chamkila was known to perpetrate domestic violence, with Amarjot covering her bruises with makeup before stage shows.