The story of Amar Singh Chamkila allows for multiple endings. Conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of Chamkila and his wife Amarjot Kaur have kept his memory alive since, and likely will forever, which is touched on by the Netflix movie positing several potential theories.
The film’s full-circle structure, beginning and ending with the assassination, makes it clear that this event is a vital point in Chamkila’s story, but the deeply personal and resonant final shots of Chamkila’s legacy living on show that his death was not the end.
Ending And Assassination Theories
As I mentioned, Amar Singh Chamkila begins at the end, with a documentary-style opening statement and a woman and a man shot down at point-blank range. This is March 8th, 1988. This is the fatal death of Amar Singh Chamkila and his wife, Amarjot Kaur.
Through a series of flashbacks and musical scenes, the film offers an in-depth look at Chamkila’s life and how this dramatic moment came to be.
Why Was Amar Singh Chamkila Assassinated?
Amar Singh Chamkila | Image via Netflix
Chamkila’s assassination at the age of 27 along with his singer-wife and his two associates evoked many conspiracy theories. These included:
- He was eliminated by the separatists who didn’t want him influencing younger generations.
- He was killed by his rivals who found him a theatre in the Punjabi music industry.
- He paid the price for marrying a Jatt Sikh girl who left his first marriage to pursue a career in singing.
Towards the end we see some serious threats being made against Chamkila, telling him to stop his music. But he and his wife continue to play and tour. The film winds back to the beginning location, bringing the story full circle, and the audience knows what is going to happen. This doesn’t make it any less awful watching it for a second time.
Chamkila’s death could have been due to one or several of the above seasons. But I think the simpler way of understanding it is that his music and persona went against an established order. He rebelled against culture, politics, and ingrained attitudes through his art, and for that, he was killed.
Powerful, Deeply Personal Final Moments
Amar Singh Chamkila | Image via Netflix
Chamkila and Amarjot’s bodies lie in their home. We watch over people’s reactions to their deaths. The final sequences are of Chamkila playing his music, and flashbacks to his childhood and career journey, along with shots of the police, their statements, the news, and case files.
There are shots of people going to the local cinema/theatre to watch videos of Chamkila performing on the big screen, and audience members dancing and singing along to him.
The final shots are photos of the real Chamkila and his family; how one of their sons now sings to his father’s songs, and how the other could not live without them, as he was 15 days old when they were murdered.
The credits are colorful and fun, as they position the actors and the real-life person they’re portraying side by side. I found this very well done.
It’s a fine and fitting ending, made more personal and hard-hitting with the images used, reminding the audience this film is based on a true story.
The Truth of The Story Resonates
Amar Singh Camkila is loosely based on the real-life artist and his experience of opposition as he tried to change the world and Punjab music. The film is a musical, and uses original songs and photos from Chamkila’s life, giving the audience a real insight and making the film appear as accurate to the true story as possible.
Towards the end there are some real-life photos of the couple dead in the streets, with many people around them — these photos are quite gut-wrenching to see. But I’m glad they’re in there for dramatic effect.
While there were many speculations and conspiracy theories as to why the two were killed, the film does well in not making one reason stand out amongst others. The fact remains that Amar Singh Chamkila, his wife Amarjot Kaur, along with the members of their musical band were assassinated on March 8, 1988. However, his music is still listened to and loved to this day.
For my thoughts on the film overall, check our my Amar Singh Chankila review.
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