Diljit Dosanjh Revisits the Life of Punjabi Music Icon Chamkila in New Netflix Documentary
The short behind-the-scenes film explores Dosanjh’s preparation for the biopic Amar Singh Chamkila and revisits the late singer’s enduring cultural legacy.
Diljit Dosanjh as Chamkila
Netflix has released a short documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal of late Punjabi folk icon Amar Singh Chamkila, further extending global engagement with the singer’s life and legacy following the release of the biographical film Amar Singh Chamkila last year.
The 15-minute documentary features Dosanjh reflecting on the personal and creative process of embodying Chamkila, one of Punjab’s most influential and controversial folk singers.
In the film, Dosanjh describes approaching the role with academic intensity, stating that he “studied Chamkila like a student,” immersing himself in the singer’s music, diction and performance style.
The documentary includes behind-the-scenes footage from the biopic, as well as insight into the emotional weight of the project. One of the key revelations is that the film’s climax was shot at the actual location associated with Chamkila’s death in 1988, a decision that added both realism and gravity to the production.
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Amar Singh Chamkila chronicles the rise of the singer, born Dhani Ram, from factory worker to one of Punjab’s most commercially successful folk artists during the late 1970s and 1980s. Known for lyrics that sparked widespread controversy, Chamkila amassed massive popularity before he and his wife and performing partner Amarjot were assassinated in an unsolved attack at the age of 27.
The Netflix documentary complements the film by contextualizing Chamkila’s cultural impact and examining the responsibility of representing a figure whose music was rooted in class, caste and rural realities. Dosanjh also speaks about the broader issue of artists receiving recognition only after death, a theme that has resurfaced in discussions surrounding Chamkila’s legacy.
The renewed attention has coincided with international recognition for the project. Amar Singh Chamkila received nominations at the 2025 International Emmy Awards, including Best Actor for Dosanjh and Best TV Movie/Mini-Series, marking a global milestone for Punjabi-language storytelling.
For audiences in Canada — home to one of the largest Punjabi diasporas globally — the documentary adds another layer to the growing visibility of Punjabi music and history on international platforms, highlighting the genre’s roots while underscoring its continued relevance across generations.
