In the Netflix film, which released earlier this month, director Imtiaz talks about Chamkila’s caste in a crucial scene, where the musician faces a casteist remark. In an interview with NDTV, the filmmaker opened up about mentioning his caste only once in the film.

“Yes, there is a lot of caste politics, but I don’t want to beat the drum which is already beaten. Ek Hindustani aadmi ko caste ka sab pata hota hai (An Indian person knows everything about caste),” the director said. Imtiaz explained that the scene where Chamkila’s caste is mentioned also clearly sets up his response, thereby establishing his “caste battle” clearly.

“If you have a dialogue in your film where this guy says that, ‘You think you are my equal just because I asked you to sit with us? Apni aukaat mat bhulo.’ Then Chamkila says, ‘I am a Chamar, but I won’t die hungry.’ The caste battle, this concept, his life, gets cleared. Then you don’t have to show caste everywhere. We are showing the life of a musician, who happens to be a Dalit,” he added.

 

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In an earlier interview with Mid-Day, the filmmaker had said he needed to address prejudices like caste, class and inequality in the film, but he never set out to make Amar Singh Chamkila a “bold film,” despite feeling responsible for tackling “real issues” in the country.

“At times, filmmakers will have to be allowed to talk about the real issues in this country. I am happy that the audience noticed that there is mention of the disadvantaged background that Chamkila came from. If I am making a film about his life, I have to show his biggest disadvantage. People are judgmental about class and race and these kinds of things. To denounce it, you must not pretend that it doesn’t exist (sic),” he added.

Also starring Parineeti Chopra, Amar Singh Chamkila received rave reviews upon its release, marking a strong comeback of Imtiaz Ali after duds like Jab Harry Met Sejal and Love Aaj Kal 2.