International Emmy Awards 2025: Imtiaz Ali's Amar Singh Chamkila gets snubbed despite global acclaim

Diljit Dosanjh, whose haunting portrayal of the slain Punjabi folk icon Amar Singh Chamkila drew widespread acclaim, was in the running for Best Performance by an Actor. However, the award ultimately went to Spain’s Oriol Pla for his performance in I, Addict. Dosanjh had been shortlisted alongside David Mitchell for Ludwig and Diego Vasquez for One Hundred Years of Solitude.

The snub extended to the film itself, which competed in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category. Amar Singh Chamkila faced tough international contenders such as Germany’s Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb, Chile’s Victory or Death, and the UK’s Lost Boys & Fairies. The British production eventually took home the Emmy, securing a win in a category known for its diversity of global storytelling.

Released in April 2024, Amar Singh Chamkila chronicles the turbulent rise and tragic end of the artist often referred to as the “Elvis of Punjab.” Chamkila’s bold music bold reflecting Punjab’s social undercurrent earned him both fame and controversy. The film, featuring Parineeti Chopra as Amarjot, Chamkila’s partner on and off stage, received praise for its sensitive storytelling, strong performances, and soul-stirring soundtrack.

Also Read: Emmy Awards 2025: Diljit Dosanjh makes a dazzling red carpet appearance, joined by Chamkila director Imtiaz Ali

During a panel at the International Emmy World Television Festival, director Imtiaz Ali offered insight into the emotional core of the biopic. “For me, this was a love story between an artiste and their craft,” he said. “A singer and their performance are like lovers at some point, it stops being about money, fame, or glamour. It becomes about the act itself, about transcending logic to reach the audience, and that was the most compelling drive in Chamkila’s character.”