New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh are thrilled about their film "Amar Singh Chamkila" receiving two International Emmy nominations, which they view as a celebration of Punjab and its artists.
The Netflix feature, centered around the life of the late Punjabi musician Amar Singh Chamkila, is up for the TV Movie/Mini-Series award. Additionally, Dosanjh has been singled out for Best Performance by an Actor.
The nominations, revealed by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in New York on Thursday, highlight this Indian film as the only entry from the country.
Ali described "Amar Singh Chamkila" as a film deeply rooted in the essence of Punjab, exploring its music, socio-political issues, conflicts, aspirations, and challenges.
"Through the film, the idea that conflict can spawn art, which in turn spurs further conflict, is explored by delving into Chamkila's life. We're delighted to spotlight Chamkila's unique persona. The tale of Amarjot and Chamkila also mirrors Punjab's story," Ali remarked.
The 53rd International Emmy Awards ceremony is set to take place in New York City on November 24. Competing for the TV Movie/Mini-Series title, "Amar Singh Chamkila" will be up against “Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb” (Germany), “Lost Boys & Fairies” (United Kingdom), and “Vencer o Morir” (Chile).
Imtiaz Ali, 54, praised the film's team and particularly commended Dosanjh, emphasizing that the film's realization was impossible without him.
"I congratulate the team for the nominations and especially Diljit Dosanjh for his dual nominations, including the Best Actor category at the Emmy Awards for this film. Throughout filming, Diljit embodied Chamkila, making our shoot in Punjab an unforgettable grassroots experience," Ali added.
Widely acclaimed for his depiction of Chamkila, who was tragically killed at 27 alongside his wife Amarjot, Dosanjh sees the nomination as a testament to the musician's enduring influence.
“I'm immensely honored that Amar Singh Chamkila, a Punjab artist, is celebrated globally at the International Emmys. I'm thankful to Imtiaz Ali sir for the role," expressed the 41-year-old actor.
In the Best Actor category, Dosanjh's competition includes David Mitchell for “Ludwig” (United Kingdom), Oriol Pla for “Yo, adicto” (Spain), and Diego Vasquez for “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (Colombia).
Besides Dosanjh, the film features Parineeti Chopra and music by A R Rahman with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. It is produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films.
Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India, expressed enthusiasm about the nominations, emphasizing the film's celebration of Chamkila's profound impact.
"This narrative honors a legendary Indian artist whose journey transcended borders, embodying Netflix's dedication to presenting genuine and compelling local Indian tales globally. It's been an incredible partnership with the entire team. These nominations celebrate their exceptional contributions and the legacy of Chamkila that continues to inspire," said Shergill.
India's previous International Emmy wins include the Netflix series “Delhi Crime” for Best Drama in 2020, and comedian Vir Das's Netflix special "Vir Das: Landing" for Best Comedy in 2021.
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