In a proud moment for Indian cinema and Punjabi culture, Diljit Dosanjh has earned a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor at the prestigious International Emmy Awards 2025, for his transformative role in Netflix’s biographical drama Amar Singh Chamkila. The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, also secured a nomination in the Best TV Movie/Mini-Series category—marking a double triumph for the team and a significant moment in the global recognition of regional Indian stories.
Released in April 2024, Amar Singh Chamkila dives deep into the life of Punjab’s legendary folk singer, whose fearless lyrics and raw performances made him an icon in the 1980s—and ultimately, a target. The film traces the meteoric rise and tragic assassination of Chamkila and his singer-wife Amarjot Kaur, played by Parineeti Chopra. The couple, both just 27 years old, were gunned down in 1988 under circumstances that remain unresolved to this day.
Known globally for his music and charm, Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal of Chamkila marks a milestone in his acting career. Shedding all traces of his stardom, he disappears into the skin of a man whose music mirrored the soul of rural Punjab brimming with love, rebellion, and uncomfortable truths.
At the 53rd International Emmy Awards, set to take place in New York City on November 24, Dosanjh will be competing against world-class talent including David Mitchell (Ludwig, UK), Oriol Pla (Yo, Adicto, Spain), and Diego Vasquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Colombia).
Meanwhile, the film stands tall in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category, contending with entries like Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb (Germany), Lost Boys & Fairies (UK), and Vencer o Morir (Chile).
Directed and co-written by Imtiaz Ali, the film is more than a biography—it's a cultural portrait of a Punjab in flux. The soul of Chamkila lies in its music, crafted by the legendary AR Rahman, with evocative lyrics by Irshad Kamil. The songs weren’t just tracks—they were time capsules, bringing alive the world Chamkila lived in and sang about.
India’s presence at the International Emmys has been growing steadily. After wins for Delhi Crime in 2020 and Vir Das in 2021, Amar Singh Chamkila adds yet another feather in the cap of Indian streaming content. As the only Indian entry this year, the film’s dual nominations signal a rising global appetite for culturally rich, emotionally charged narratives from the subcontinent.
The journey of Amar Singh Chamkila from the fields of Punjab to the stages of New York is not just the story of a film—it’s the story of a legacy finding global resonance. With these Emmy nominations, Diljit Dosanjh, Imtiaz Ali, and the entire team have ensured that Chamkila’s voice—once silenced—now echoes louder than ever.
Whether or not the film takes home the trophy, Amar Singh Chamkila has already won the hearts of millions and marked a turning point for Indian storytelling on the world stage.