Diljit Dosanjh and ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ Earn Prestigious International Emmy Nominations

In a landmark achievement for Indian cinema and regional storytelling, the Netflix biographical drama ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ has secured two nominations at the esteemed International Emmy Awards 2025. The biggest headline from the announcement is the nod for actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh in the highly competitive Best Performance by an Actor category, cementing his rising status as a global artist. The film itself also received a major nomination in the Best TV Movie/Mini-Series category.

The nominations, announced by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, shine a spotlight on the critically acclaimed film directed by Imtiaz Ali. ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ chronicles the turbulent, meteoric, and tragically brief life of the iconic Punjabi folk singer, often hailed as the “Elvis of Punjab,” who was assassinated in 1988 at the age of 27.

Dosanjh’s Triumph as Chamkila

Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal of the titular character has earned universal praise for its raw energy, emotional depth, and authentic capture of Chamkila’s charisma and controversial nature. His nomination in the Best Performance by an Actor category sees him compete against accomplished international talents, including David Mitchell for Ludwig (United Kingdom), Oriol Pla for Yo, adicto (I, Addict) (Spain), and Diego Vasquez for One Hundred Years of Solitude (Colombia).

Reacting to the monumental news, Diljit Dosanjh maintained his signature humility, taking to social media to express his gratitude. He credited the film’s celebrated director, writing simply, “It’s all because of Imtiaz Ali Sir,” acknowledging the filmmaker who entrusted him with the challenging role.

A Double Delight for the Film

The celebration extends beyond Dosanjh’s individual honour. The film’s inclusion in the Best TV Movie/Mini-Series category underscores its storytelling strength and production quality, placing it alongside other international projects like Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb (Germany), Lost Boys & Fairies (United Kingdom), and Vencer o Morir (Chile).

Director Imtiaz Ali echoed the sentiment of collective achievement, congratulating the entire team and the people of Punjab for contributing to the film’s success. The biopic, which co-stars Parineeti Chopra as Chamkila’s second wife and singing partner Amarjot, premiered on Netflix in April 2024 to widespread acclaim for its live-recorded music and poignant narrative.

Indian Content Goes Global

This dual recognition for ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ marks another significant stride for Indian television and film content on the global platform. In recent years, projects from India have steadily gained international traction, following in the footsteps of previous winners like the Netflix series Delhi Crime, which won Best Drama Series in 2020, and comedian Vir Das, who won for his comedy special in 2021.

The 53rd International Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in New York City on November 24, where the winners across all 16 categories will be revealed. For Diljit Dosanjh, whose journey has already seen him break barriers as an actor and the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella, this nomination solidifies his position as a truly global cultural icon. His achievement proves that powerful, regional stories, rooted in authenticity, hold the capacity to resonate with audiences worldwide.