Imtiaz Ali reveals Diljit Dosanjh narrated the story of his own film ‘Jodi’ before starting ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’

Imtiaz Ali

is a filmmaker celebrated for his unique storytelling and ability to create compelling narratives. With a career spanning over two decades, he has directed several acclaimed films, including ‘Jab We Met,’ ‘Rockstar,’ and ‘Tamasha.’ His last work, ‘

Amar Singh Chamkila

‘, showcased his continued commitment to exploring complex characters and their journeys.

Imtiaz Ali recently shared an intriguing anecdote about his collaboration with

Diljit Dosanjh

for the film ‘Amar Singh Chamkila.’ During a conversation with Mid-Day, Ali revealed that before embarking on the project, Dosanjh had narrated the story of his own

Punjabi film

, ‘

Jodi

‘, to Ali. This exchange occurred while Ali was preparing to discuss the narrative of ‘Amar Singh

Chamkila

‘, which is based on the life of the iconic Punjabi folk musician.
The ‘Highway’ director recounted the moment he approached Dosanjh for the lead role in ‘Amar Singh Chamkila.’ He stated, “Strangely, when I went to tell him the story of Chamkila, toh he was like ‘dekhiye sir aap chahoge toh main to kar raha hoon (Look sir, if you want me to do this film, I am on it)…but let me tell you the story of Jodi and you see whether you want to take me because this I have already done.’” This response highlighted Dosanjh’s deep understanding of Chamkila’s life and legacy.
‘Jodi,’ directed by

Amberdeep Singh

, is a romantic comedy that was released in 2023 and features Dosanjh in the role of Amar Singh Sitaara. The film explores themes similar to those in Amar Singh Chamkila, making Dosanjh’s narration particularly relevant. Ali noted that this prior experience enriched their collaboration, as Dosanjh brought valuable insights to the table.

Earlier this year, reflecting on his work on ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, Ali expressed gratitude for the opportunity to tell this important story. In an interview with Etimes he mentioned, “I’m lucky that this story, which a lot of people have wanted to make before me, finally came to us. That I could make it is also a blessing.”
‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ is a biographical film that delves into the life of the titular musician, who was a beloved figure in Punjabi music during the 1980s. The film was released on April 12, 2024 on OTT. Diljit Dosanjh plays the lead role, embodying the spirit of Chamkila, while

Parineeti Chopra

portrays his second wife, Amarjot Kaur