Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has shed light on his decision not to glorify Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila in an upcoming film project. Ali stated that Chamkila, known for his controversial life, was not a person who fit the image of a “neat and clean” individual.
In his remarks, Imtiaz Ali expressed his view on portraying Chamkila’s life authentically without glorifying his persona. The filmmaker emphasized the importance of depicting the truth, even if it means presenting a flawed character.
Ali’s decision reflects his commitment to authenticity in storytelling and his reluctance to romanticize the lives of controversial figures like Amar Singh Chamkila. By choosing not to glorify Chamkila, Ali aims to offer audiences a nuanced portrayal of the singer’s life.
During his chat with Mid-Day, Amar Singh Chamkila director Imtiaz Ali revealed, “I never thought I would make a biopic. However, in Chamkila’s story, there were so many things I felt I should address since they’ve been hidden from the audience. However, when depicting someone’s life, you should have the liberty — not to change the facts, but to represent all aspects of them. If you don’t show the mistakes they made, then what’s the point of glorifying them? I do not like those biopics that endlessly glorify the person they are based on. That becomes very boring.”
He continued, “Chamkila is a case in point as there was this kind of dual response from the audience towards him. I felt that I had to present the human side of Chamkila. I did not set out to make him come across as this neat and clean person, which he was not. This is also because I knew a few intrinsic good qualities of him. I was very sure of them. He didn’t come across as a star; rather as a servant of the masses. He’s a deeply humble man, coming from the most disadvantaged background. He never threw a tantrum. He always agreed to everything that anyone asked him to do. And that’s how he lost his life because he couldn’t say no to the audience. He was that kind of guy and we understand. He has flaws.”
Imtiaz Ali’s remarks provide insight into his creative process and the considerations involved in portraying real-life characters on screen.
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