I'll be the first to admit, I had no idea that somebody called Chamkila ("The Elvis Presley of Punjab") used to exist, had no clue what the story was about until the trailer dropped. I'd have had no interest in watching the film if it weren't for Diljit Dosanjh, cast as the lead.
This film, a biopic or commentary on morality...or both? Interesting to see that 40 yrs ago, the industry used to deal with similar censorship issues that we see in the society even now. The film talks at great lengths about Chamkila's lyrics and 'what the society wants to listen to'; the choice of words and the hypocrisy of the general society not being OK with it in the public but do/enjoy the same privately. Who decides what one must listen to or not? Why do some artists sing about the things they sing about? I was all 😮 at some of the lyrics, but Chamkila's explanation did make me wonder. Puts Siddhu Moosewala's story in perspective.
Fascinating story, told in a very fascinating way. The screenplay and the writing deserve credit. The film starts off in a manner that you won't expect it to start and makes you go "Oh OK, that's how you wanna start? OK cool. Here we go." The narration is non linear and doesn't feel disjointed at all. Usually biopics/films based on true stories have photos at the end, but you cut in and out of old photos and videos as the lead poses a certain way, i found that fascinating. I found the use of Hindi lyrics on screen in English font for a Punjabi song, while having English translated subtitles, very fascinating. I can understand Punjabi in bits and pieces but this definitely helped. Dialogues - very well written, commentary on casteism - very subtle but relevant. Commentary on a (flawed) sense of fame and life. This film is deep on various levels, even though it's primarily about the 'cancel culture' in the 80s in Punjab.
Every now and then, you come across casting choices that seem just perfect and his is one such. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him on big screen more often. Epic work. I forgot Parineeti Chopra used to act, but she did a great job as well. Turns out, she also sung all the songs in the role.
Music - I've not been a fan on AR Rahman's music in the past few years but this film makes me feel different. Almost feels like some directors bring out something else out of him, great choice of singers and who would have thought, AR Rahman's music and Diljit Dosanjh....! Ishq Mitaye takes me back to the Delhi 6 days; in the song, there's a riff when Mohit Chauhan goes "Main hoon Panjab!" - ooof.
This is certainly a different film from what you've seen before, I'd highly recommend this one, whether you know the language or not.
This film, a biopic or commentary on morality...or both? Interesting to see that 40 yrs ago, the industry used to deal with similar censorship issues that we see in the society even now. The film talks at great lengths about Chamkila's lyrics and 'what the society wants to listen to'; the choice of words and the hypocrisy of the general society not being OK with it in the public but do/enjoy the same privately. Who decides what one must listen to or not? Why do some artists sing about the things they sing about? I was all 😮 at some of the lyrics, but Chamkila's explanation did make me wonder. Puts Siddhu Moosewala's story in perspective.
Fascinating story, told in a very fascinating way. The screenplay and the writing deserve credit. The film starts off in a manner that you won't expect it to start and makes you go "Oh OK, that's how you wanna start? OK cool. Here we go." The narration is non linear and doesn't feel disjointed at all. Usually biopics/films based on true stories have photos at the end, but you cut in and out of old photos and videos as the lead poses a certain way, i found that fascinating. I found the use of Hindi lyrics on screen in English font for a Punjabi song, while having English translated subtitles, very fascinating. I can understand Punjabi in bits and pieces but this definitely helped. Dialogues - very well written, commentary on casteism - very subtle but relevant. Commentary on a (flawed) sense of fame and life. This film is deep on various levels, even though it's primarily about the 'cancel culture' in the 80s in Punjab.
Every now and then, you come across casting choices that seem just perfect and his is one such. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him on big screen more often. Epic work. I forgot Parineeti Chopra used to act, but she did a great job as well. Turns out, she also sung all the songs in the role.
Music - I've not been a fan on AR Rahman's music in the past few years but this film makes me feel different. Almost feels like some directors bring out something else out of him, great choice of singers and who would have thought, AR Rahman's music and Diljit Dosanjh....! Ishq Mitaye takes me back to the Delhi 6 days; in the song, there's a riff when Mohit Chauhan goes "Main hoon Panjab!" - ooof.
This is certainly a different film from what you've seen before, I'd highly recommend this one, whether you know the language or not.
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