Imtiaz Ali shares how Diljit Dosanjh’s past hit Jodi influenced Amar Singh Chamkila; "Strangely, when I went to tell him...."

Imtiaz Ali, celebrated for his distinctive storytelling in films like Jab We Met and Rockstar, recently opened about his experience of working with Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh. Ali, who directed Dosanjh in the biographical film Amar Singh Chamkila, shared an interesting anecdote during an interview with Mid-Day. The filmmaker revealed that before signing on for the role, Diljit narrated the story of his 2023 film Jodi to Imtiaz.

A surprise narration from Diljit

When Imtiaz approached Diljit to discuss the lead role in Amar Singh Chamkila, he was surprised by the actor's response. Diljit, who had already worked on Jodi, a film inspired by the life of Chamkila, wanted Imtiaz to understand his previous work before committing to the new project. "Strangely, when I went to tell him the story of Chamkila, he was like 'Dekhiye sir, aap chahoge toh main to kar raha hoon, but let me tell you the story of Jodi,'" Imtiaz shared, emphasizing the actor's deep connection with the character.

Understanding Chamkila through Jodi

Diljit's dedication to portraying Chamkila was evident in his desire to ensure that Imtiaz was fully aware of his prior work. The actor showed Imtiaz some portions of Jodi, a film where he played Amar Singh Sitaara, a character inspired by Chamkila's life. Imtiaz noted that Diljit had a profound understanding of Chamkila, which significantly influenced the direction of the biopic.

A deep-rooted connection

Imtiaz Ali praised Diljit's commitment to his craft, highlighting how the actor's prior experience with Jodi enriched his portrayal of Chamkila in the 2024 biopic. "Diljit knew more about Chamkila than I did," Imtiaz admitted, expressing his admiration for the actor's thorough preparation. This unique approach helped in creating an authentic and powerful representation of the legendary Punjabi folk musician.

Also Read: Imtiaz Ali hopes Amar Singh Chamkila wins National Award after IFFM win: “It is made out of metros and mini-metros, and it goes into the heartland of India”