Imtiaz Ali feared getting attacked by Amar Singh Chamkila’s first wife over sensitive scenes during film’s screening: ‘I have not whitewashed Chamkila’

Imtiaz Ali recalled sitting with Amar Singh Chamkila's first wife, Gurmail Kaur, during the film's screening, fearing her objection to some of the sensitive and controversial scenes in the film.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | Updated: April 29, 2024 12:02 PM IST

3 min read

Imtiaz Ali shared his experience of watching the film Amar Singh Chamkila with the singer's wife. (Pic: Express Archive and Netflix)

Imtiaz Ali is currently basking in the success of his recent film, Amar Singh Chamkila, which is based on the life of the slain Punjabi singer, renowned for his impactful music and controversial persona. In a recent interview, Imtiaz recalled sitting with Chamkila’s first wife, Gurmail Kaur, during the screening, fearing her objection to some of the sensitive and controversial scenes in the film. However, the filmmaker was relieved when the singer’s family members expressed their happiness and embraced him after watching the film.

Speaking about the experience of watching his film with Chamkila’s family, Imtiaz told Zoom, “Chamkila’s family was at the screening. His first wife Gurmail Kaur was there. Amarjot and Chamkila’s son Jaiman Chamkila was there. Chamkila’s daughters were also there. When we were watching the film, his first wife was sitting right next to me and I was thinking that there are some sensitive scenes in the film, should I just pull back or go back before she attacks me. But when the screening got over, she hugged me and everybody was so happy with the way that Chamkila was portrayed because we were hoping that they like it.”

The Jab We Met director also credited Chamkila’s family for not interfering in his narrative. He said, “I have not whitewashed Chamkila because that was the point of making the film. He has done a lot of things that can be judged but I let it be like that in the film and it’s actually credit to the family that they understood it. They knew that it’s factual and they did not stop me in any way.”

Also read | Amar Singh Chamkila’s killers danced as they shot him, left a letter on his chest; singer’s secretary recalls witnessing the murder

From 1979 to 1988, Chamkila dominated the music landscape in Punjab with songs that served as a commentary on various aspects of village life. His music delved into topics such as drug abuse, guns, extramarital affairs, dowry, alcoholism, and issues of Punjabi masculinity, among others. In 1988, the singer and his wife and singing partner, Amarjot, were shot dead by masked men in the village of Mehsampur in Punjab. Their assassination remains unsolved.

From the homepage