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Indian entertainment has been basking in glory with the nomination of Diljit Dosanjh at the 2025 International Emmy Awards in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of folk-music legend Amar Singh Chamkila in the Netflix biopic “Amar Singh Chamkila”. The sweetest part is that the movie itself has also been nominated in the Best TV Movie/Mini-series category, gaining double recognition on a platform that celebrates the best of television worldwide. This marks a turning point in the storytelling of Indian cinema. 

The Emmy awards have announced a record slate this year with 64 nominees from 26 countries across 16 categories. Diljit will be up against David Mitchell for Ludwig (UK) , Oriol Pla for Yo, adicto (Spain) and Diego Vasquez for One Hundred Years of Solitude (Colombia) in the best actor category. And as per the category of Best TV Movie / Mini-Series, Amar Singh Chamkila will face fierce competition from Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb from Germany, Lost Boys and Fairies from the UK and Vencer o Morir from Chile. 

The musical biopic Amar Singh Chamkila, directed by Imtiaz Ali explores the story of Chamkila, who rose to fame for his popular and controversial songs in the 1980s. His songs reflected the naked realities of Punjabi culture. But the singer was tragically assassinated along with his wife in 1988 at an early age of 27. The movie comes alive through Diljit’s portrayal of Chamkila, capturing both his charm and contradictions, alongside actress Parineeti Chopra, who plays his wife. The story has a soundscape that makes it both authentic and timeless with the legendary music director A.R. Rahman. 

Director Imtiaz Ali has hailed the movie as “a film of the land,” one deeply tied to the contradictions, culture, and soil of Punjab. He has emphasized that he wanted the film to be a love story with music at its core, rather than a crime thriller about Chamkila’s death. He has also dedicated the film’s success to the people whose struggles and stories lie at its heart.

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Diljit reposted the nomination announcement on Instagram, expressing his gratitude to director Imtiaz Ali. He wrote, “It’s all because of Imtiaz Ali sir,” while tagging the director and Netflix India. Actress Parineeti Chopra also joined the celebration by posting, “Proud of my team Chamkila,” on her Instagram stories. Imtiaz Ali chimed in by posting a clip of Diljit’s performance with a humorous caption: “Punjabi Emmys aagaye oye!” (Punjabis are now at the Emmys) sharing the happiness. This highlights the collaborative spirit of the film.

Diljit has joined the steadily growing list of Indian artists who have been recognized at the International Emmys over the years. This list includes stand-up comedian Vir Das, who won for his special Vir Das: Landing, which put India on the global stage. Producer Ekta Kapoor also received recognition for her contribution to international television by being awarded the Directorate Award in the same year. The first Indian series to win an International Emmy for Best Drama goes to Delhi crime in 2021, opening a new window for India. 

The recognition of the movie extends beyond a single nomination, reminding us that locally inspired tales have the power to go beyond the constraints of borders. The story revolves around the themes of ambition, fame, love, controversy and tragedy that resonates with every culture. Thus, the film is both specific and universal, connecting the world to the essence of Punjab.

The nomination has raised the bar for the industry, proving that authentic storytelling can transcend formulaic approaches. A regional story has now taken center stage in international discussions, opening possibilities for more culturally rich films to receive investment rather than only commercially safe ones. Netflix has also played its role by providing a platform for such films to be streamed globally. This serves as an inspiration for upcoming artists to aim higher and work harder.

In the end, the nomination validates that our cultural narratives are strong enough to compete with the best in the world. So the celebration is about our own storytelling that is deep-rooted to our tradition and place rather than being about a single actor or movie. It is about Indian storytelling breaking barriers and regional identities gaining global recognition. [Rh/SY]

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