Chamak actor Paramvir Singh Cheema: ‘I had a smaller part in Tabbar but I play the protagonist Kaala in this big-scale show’

Paramvir Singh Cheema in a still from Chamak, the SonyLIV series releasing on December 7.

Creator Rohit Jugraj followed the Punjabi music industry and its complexities intricately to craft musical drama Chamak. To premiere on SonyLIV on December 7, Chamak follows the character of Kaala, an aspiring rapper who returns to Punjab from Canada and revisits the death of Taara Singh, a legendary singer who was shot dead on stage. Loaded with a heavy-duty soundtrack of 28 songs, the show features an ensemble cast, including  Paramvir Singh Cheema, Manoj Pahwa, Gippy Garewal, Mohit Malik, Isha Talwar and Suvinder Vicky.

Director Jugraj and actors Paramvir Singh Cheema (Tabbar), who plays Kaala, and Isha Talwar (Mirzapur) who plays Jazz opposite him, spoke about the show and the uniqueness of the Punjabi music scene. Edited excepts from an interview:

What are the various themes you have explored in Chamak?

Rohit Jugraj: The main theme and reason for making the show is money and exploitation that follows something very successful, like the Punjabi music industry. It is undoubtedly very successful and behind it there is money and there is crime. So the first theme was to explore crime and extortion. The second is jealousy between artists. This is a very sensitive field and Punjab is full of talent. Punjabis take that music to heart and propel it forward. The beats travels and plays everywhere, from cricket matches to Coachella. Where talent is extreme, there is huge competition and then jealousy is paramount. Third theme is the father-son relationship and inter-generational, how they deal differently with music, business, love and relationships. Chamak is in essence a father-son revenge drama with everything enmeshed with music.

How did you come up with the character of Kaala?

Jugraj: The title of the show followed the name of the character. We thought of the name Kaala first which is the character’s stage name. His real name is Kulwinder Singh. Chamak is the polar opposite of Kaala, darkness behind the bling. Kaala is dark and obsessive in that he will go after what he wants. He is an artist at heart, a charmer. The inspiration behind Kaala is a lot of real life characters. I think one of them is me and the rest are people I know.

Paramvir, what did you do to prepare for the part of Kaala?

Paramvir Singh Cheema: He’s a rap star who becomes a folk star so I followed a lot of artists like Tupac, Sidhu Moose Wala, etc. I made up my own backstory for him and constructed why he has these toxic relationships with girlfriends and relatives. To carry the look of Kaala, I grew my hair and beard, tanned myself to become darker. I had to live with the long hair and loose clothes so they felt natural. I made those adjustments to bring hip-hop into my manner. I also did workshops, spent time with musicians and singers. So many of the gestures and movements I have used came from getting an insight from musicians. I surrendered myself completely to the role.

From the poster of musical thriller series 'Chamak'.

Isha, what attracted you to your character ?

Isha Talwar: I am really happy not to be playing a bhabhi and bahu. I got to do something closer to my age and was a relief. This is a full-blown love story about two musicians who fall in love and the complexity of artistes falling in love. Their romance is more gutted and personal perhaps because they put themselves on the line all the time. Jazz plays the dhol, tries to sing, wants to be a performer. I could relate to her in terms of her journey. I have tried to make her natural, especially in the way she speaks.

Isha Talwar.

Rohit, did you draw parallels from real life stories and characters, such as the Chamkila  and Moose Wala cases?

Jugraj: No, there are no direct representations. A fictitious character called Taara Singh is killed on stage. The story goes between past and present. There are numerous true incidents that we have touched upon, but the show is not inspired by any true story — not Chamkila or Sidhu Moose Wala. There have been many other deaths and killings that audiences don’t even know about. I am trying to touch on many of them and have woven together many such incidents.

Can you share details about the music-scape of the show?

Jugraj: I love our music scape. From underground rap to a Haryanvi, Punjabi pop, Sufi songs, romantic songs, we have all genres. There are 28 songs and 15 artists with guest appearances and special guest appearances by Gippy Grewal, Mika Singh, MC Square, Afsana Khan, Shashwat Singh, etc. Plus there are Songs by Stebin Ben, Sunidhi Chauhan and Kanwar Grewal. We have some new and young music directors  whose music is rooted in Punjab, plus established music directors, too.

'Chamak' director Rohit Jugraj.

Paramvir, you made a mark in the series Tabbar playing a cop. How would you describe your journey from Inspector Lakhwinder to Kaala, the rapper?

Singh Cheema: It’s been a rollercoaster ride. I didn’t think Tabbar would give me so much. Working with SonyLIV resulted in me also getting Chamak. Rohit Jugraj said he heard good things from the platform and wanted to talk to me about the part of Kaala. We spoke on the phone a few times and by the third day, without even meeting me, he sent me the contract. He said he was following his gut instinct. I had a smaller part in Tabbar but I play the protagonist in this big-scale show and I have surrendered myself completely to the role.