Before Amar Singh Chamkila's Release, Watch Diljit Dosanjh's Jodi, Also Inspired By The Late Punjabi Singer
In 2023, in Amberdeep Singh directorial 'Jodi', Dosanjh played Amar Singh Sitara, a character loosely inspired from the life of Chamkila, Punjab's highest record selling singer till date.
New Delhi: Ever since Imtiaz Ali's film 'Amar Singh Chamkila' was announced, there has been a reignited interest in the life of Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila. Interestingly, this is not the first time that Diljit Dosanjh is playing the role of Chamkila in a film. In 2023, in Amberdeep Singh directorial 'Jodi', Dosanjh played Amar Singh Sitara, a character loosely inspired from the life of Chamkila, Punjab's highest record selling singer till date.
What is the movie Jodi about?
'Jodi' stars Diljit Dosanjh and Nimrat Khaira in the lead. The period romantic-comedy has been written by Amberdeep Singh.
'Jodi' loosely follows the lifestory of an aspiring singer, who gets his own wings to fly, after a reality check.
Diljit plays Amar Singh Sitara, who takes up responsibilties of the house after the death of his mother.
As he apprentices under a senior artist, he takes on the role of a shahgird under Hardeep Gill, who plays the ustaad.
Later, Sitara meets Nimrat Khaira, who is another aspiring woman singer and wants to make a name for herself.
Khaira plays Kamaljot; a name inspired by Chamkila's singing partner Amarjot.
After several delays during COVID-19, 'Jodi' was finally released in theatres in 2023 to a positive response.
Is Jodi movie based on a true story?
Anyone familiar with Punjabi history and particularly the music industry, will be able to draw several similarities between the movie 'Jodi' and the life of Amar Singh Chamkila and Amarjot.
Besides the lead character names: Amar Singh Sitara and Kamaljot to the 'offensive' lyrics, the chemistry between the two characters, or Sitara playing Tumbi or Kamaljot hairstyle or the live 'akharas', the meeting with the Kharkus ( Sikh militants who were followers of the Khalistan movement), to their death by motorcylist gunmen, 'Jodi' is vaguely a fictionalised representation of Chamkila's colourful life.
What is the Jodi controversy?
'Jodi' also landed into legal trouble after Patiala-based Ishdeep Randhawa moved court claiming Chamkila's first wife Gurmail Kaur sold exclusive rights to make his biopic to his father Gurdev Singh( who passed away in November last year).
Randhawa also claimed that Gurmail Kaur had taken Rs. 5 lakh from his father in exchange of giving the film's rights. She had also allegedly signed a written agreement following which a local court in Ludhiana stayed the movie's release for May 5, 2023.
Post the stay order, all shows scheduled on the opening day were cancelled only to release around 7 PM in the evening after movie theatres received a letter from the distributor saying that the conflict had been resolved as both partied reached a compromise.
Is Jodi a good movie?
'Jodi' recreates the 80's and 90s Punjab with vibrant hues. The tonality of the film coupled with an impressive soundtrack( 12 songs) and the characters performances make 'Jodi' a good film.
Diljit Dosanjh and Nimrat Khaira have great chemistry and their live music performances in the film are a must-watch. As both actors sing their parts, their act and sets look very original.
'Jodi' has several memorable moments but a scene that stands out is a conversation between Sitara and his friend.
The friend advises Sitara to mellow down the upfront and suggestive nature of his lyrics by comparing it to the iconic Bollywood number 'Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein'.
The friend talks to Sitara about 'Suhagraat hai ghunghat utha raha huin main...' and the way suggestive information in the song is conveyed in a manner that it does not hurt anyone's sentiments.
Another sequence involves Sitara's meeting with the Kharkhus and his transformation into singing religious music which will ring a bell about a similar incident in Amar Singh Chamkila's life.
There is also an adorable sequence involving Sitara and Kamaljot as they prentend-play akhara for their own secret wedding.
Several such sequences make 'Jodi' a film that is warm and engaging and deeply-rooted in Punjabi culture with a slight modern mix.
Diljit Dosanjh carried his easy-demeanour swag in 'Jodi' as he does for most of his Punjabi films. Nimrit Khaira also suits her part to the T.
What 'Jodi' lacks though is the gravity of the subject it picks to make a film on.
A self-made musician can only cry about the dangerous situation he is in with his wife and colleague.
There is so much buildup to the climax of the film, which is very predictable, but the fact that the filmmaker continues to show the end scene several times in the film only punctures the intensity of the act.
The makers keep the film light and this they do with the help of music and Dosanjh's performance to keep within the safety net. ‘Jodi’ could have been so much more than that.
Jodi movie songs
For a film that is about a musical jodi, it is crucial to throw light on the soundtrcak.
Composed and produced by Tru Skool, 'Jodi' boasts of twelve songs. Most songs have a true blue Punjabi folk texture which is also coloured with modern beats making the music-listening and performance-watching experience quite engaging.
What is the box office of Jodi, Diljit Dosanjh film?
'Jodi' was a hit at the box office. The film collected Rs. 20 cr in its first week worldwide and continued to do good business during its theatrical run. Word-of-mouth and positive reviews was the major reason behind the film's success.
Where can I watch Jodi Punjabi movie & Why Jodi is not releasing
'Jodi' was only released in theatres in 2023. Post the theatrical run, many fans and audiences expected the film to release on OTT, however, the filmmaker Amberdeep Singh had announced on social media that theOTT release might never happen.
Amberdeep had mentioned the tedious paperwork behind the film's absence on an OTT platform.
View this post on Instagram
However, on April 1, a post on the filmmaker's Instagram story announced that the Diljit Dosanjh and Nimrat Khaira film will finally be released on Prime Video.
Several Punjabi news portals also shared screenshots of Singh's story to confirm that 'Jodi' will finally be released on Amazon Prime Video on April 11, 2024.
Take a look
While 'Jodi' may be a fictional recreation of Amar Singh Chamkila's life, the film is a must watch for its recreation of the Punjabi folk music of the era, in all its rich vibrancy & upfront nature.
Think of it as a preface or a preparatory lesson before catching Imtiaz Ali’s film on Netflix on April 12, 2024.
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