Imtiaz Ali discussed the decision to proceed with an OTT release and the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in Amar Singh Chamkila in an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla.
Director Imtiaz Ali is now preparing for the premiere of Amar Singh Chamkila, his much anticipated upcoming movie. The biographical drama, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, is based on the life of the late Punjabi musician Amar Singh Chamkila. The masterful director revealed details about the casting process and his decision to not have the movie released in theatres in an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla.
Imtiaz Ali spoke about the casting of Diljit Dosanjh in Amar Singh Chamkila
When Imtiaz Ali was questioned about the casting process of Dilijit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra for the film Chamkila, the director confessed that he was first unsure about having the GOAT singer on board.
“You’re not alone in this. I also feel when I watch them together or separately that I couldn’t have imagined or there could’ve been nobody who could’ve played Chamkila or Amarjot except for Diljit and Parineeti. However, I wasn’t sure whether it’s gonna work out with Diljit for some reason. I thought he might not be able to do it, etc. So I didn’t approach him in the beginning, but it’s a little later that I did. The moment I spoke to him, it was just like a different chapter, and now it’s a sure shot thing, and now I really can’t imagine anybody else doing it,” he stated.
Imtiaz Ali share why Amar Singh Chamkila is releasing on OTT
Furthermore, when Imtiaz was questioned why the film was not released in theatres, he stated, “Well, new things come along and you must try it.” The director stated, “I believe that I am like a big cinema watcher, like a theater viewer and a director. When I close my eyes and think about a film, I always imagine myself on the big screen in a theatre and watching the big screen. I can’t help it, but I don’t think that will be a bad thing for a film I made for an OTT.”
Imtiaz Ali proceeded, “So, it’s a new thing and I feel that there is a certain reach and the point of making Chamkila for me, I am a Hindi film director but making Chamkila in Hindi I thought was necessary because Chamkila is a very big subject and I think it’s a universal subject. So, I wanted people that are not from Punjab to also see it and enjoy it. People perhaps that are not from this country and don’t even speak these native languages should be able to enjoy it. So, that’s the reason why we made Chamkila in Hindi, that’s not your question, but that’s my answer, he says with a laugh.”
It is worth noting that Diljit’s look in the film has been praised for its striking resemblance to the real-life Chamkila. In response, Imtiaz Ali stated what he believed to be true: “In a way, he has been preparing for Chamkila ever since he was born because he was born in those parts. Diljit is also from Malwa, from Punjab from a smaller place like he knows that language; he knows what it is to be an artist in Punjab and rise he knows about Chamkila much before I got to know. He knew everything. Like he spoke to me, the first thing he said was that there are many people in this world who think they are the biggest fan of Chamkila, and I’m also one of them.”
On April 12, Netflix will start broadcasting the much-anticipated Amar Singh Chamkila.
