Parents' Guide to Amar Singh Chamkila

Fame never comes without a price, and this entertaining although overlong musical biography shows the duality of achieving public acclaim. Amar Singh Chamkila follows the rise and eventual murder of the famous Indian singer who shook society with his catchy tunes and lyrics that dealt with sex, drugs, love, and other taboo subjects. Director Imtiaz Ali follows conventional biopic conventions but also shows the effect Amar had on various circles of society in order to provide a richer context.

Although the film drags through its excessive running time, it becomes undeniably alive when it recreates Amar's performances. Diljit Dosanjh infuses the character with charisma, ferocity, and complexity to the point we can observe both aspects of the man and the star. He makes for a wonderful duo with Parineeti Chopra, who plays Amar's wife Amarjot, and they have remarkable chemistry and shine during the performance scenes, where they evoke the freshness Amar's music brought to a society divided by class and power. The film works as a great piece of Indian history seen through pop culture and might introduce newcomers to the music of a man whose belief in self-expression led to his murder at 27. The crime remains unsolved, but the film should help keep the burning flame of Amar's music alive, reminding us art can shake the foundations of society and give a voice to the unheard.