Diljit Dosanjh, Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila Miss Out at 2025 International Emmy Awards

NEW YORK: Bollywood actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali were among the Indian contingent attending the 53rd International Emmy Awards Gala in New York City on Tuesday, but both left without trophies. Dosanjh was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor category for his role in Amar Singh Chamkila, while the film itself contended in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category.

In the acting category, Diljit faced stiff competition from David Mitchell (Ludwig), Oriol Pla (I, Addict), and Diego Vasquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude), with Oriol Pla ultimately taking the award. Meanwhile, Amar Singh Chamkila was edged out by Lost Boys & Fairies, with other nominees including Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb and Victory or Death.

The Netflix release chronicles the life and career of slain Punjabi folk icon Amar Singh Chamkila, often called the “Elvis of Punjab.” Parineeti Chopra played a pivotal role in the film, which garnered widespread critical acclaim following its April 2024 release.

Speaking during a panel at the 53rd International Emmy World Television Festival, director Imtiaz Ali reflected on the film’s deeper significance: “For me, this was a love story between an artiste and their craft. A singer and their performance are akin to lovers. At a certain point, you don’t pursue it for financial gain, fame, or glamour; you do it for the sake of the performance itself, transcending any rationale, to connect with their audience. That was the most compelling drive in Amar Singh Chamkila’s character, which I concentrated on.”

Although India did not take home awards in these categories, the nominations underscore the growing recognition of Indian cinema on the global stage and highlight Diljit Dosanjh and Imtiaz Ali’s contributions to storytelling that resonates across cultures.