Diljit Dosanjh has made history by securing a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor at the International Emmy Awards 2025 for his portrayal of the legendary Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila in the Netflix biographical drama "Amar Singh Chamkila". The nominations were officially announced on September 25th on the International Emmy Awards website. This marks Dosanjh's first-ever nomination at the International Emmy Awards.
"Amar Singh Chamkila" has also been nominated in the TV Movie/Mini-Series category.
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, "Amar Singh Chamkila" chronicles the life of the Punjabi music icon, from his Dalit Sikh upbringing to his rise to fame as a controversial yet beloved singer known for his bold lyrics and electrifying performances. The film explores Chamkila's journey, his controversial songs, and his tragic assassination at the young age of 27. It was released on Netflix on April 12, 2024. Parineeti Chopra stars as Amarjot, Chamkila's wife and singing partner. The film's music was composed by A.R. Rahman.
Dosanjh's performance has been widely lauded for capturing Chamkila's charisma, complexity, and raw energy. Diljit had admitted he was initially apprehensive about taking on the role. He stated he wondered what Bollywood would do with the story when he learned a film was being made about Chamkila.
Upon the announcement of the nomination, Diljit Dosanjh credited director Imtiaz Ali and Netflix India for the recognition in an Instagram Story.
In the Best Actor category, Dosanjh will be competing against David Mitchell (Ludwig, UK), Oriol Pla (Yo, Adicto, Spain), and Diego Vasquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Colombia). The International Emmy Awards will feature 64 contenders across 16 categories from 26 countries. The winners will be announced on November 24, 2025.
The film was produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films.
Recently, Diljit was seen in "Sardaar Ji 3," directed by Amar Hundal, alongside Neeru Bajwa, Gulshan Grover, and Sapna Pabbi. Looking ahead, Diljit is reportedly set to reunite with Imtiaz Ali for an untitled period drama set in the 1940s during India's partition. Sharvari and Vedang Raina are also said to be part of the project.
Diljit's nomination signifies the growing international recognition of Indian cinema and the resonance of regional stories with global audiences. It also highlights Dosanjh's ability to portray complex characters.
