True Validation Is Indian Audience Connect, Not Emmy Nom: Imtiaz Ali

MUMBAI – Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Amar Singh Chamkila,’ a musical biopic on the life of the Punjabi folk legend, has earned two nominations at the International Emmy Awards. While the recognition has been celebrated, Ali has reflected on a broader question: does the Indian film industry still seek validation from the West, and does colonial influence linger?

Ali acknowledged that international acclaim is encouraging but emphasized that true validation comes from Indian audiences. “I don’t know whether it’s colonial. International recognition is always special, and for us, it is unique and important,” he said. “But the people we made the film for are Indian first, and their recognition is of greatest importance. If it is now recognized internationally as well, if it gives us a chance to represent the country, then that is ‘sone pe suhaga’ (icing on the cake).”

Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, shared a similar view. “It’s like sports; you want to win because you are representing your country,” she said. “The joy comes when stories from your culture travel anywhere and entertain more people.”

With ‘Chamkila’s’ nomination, the story of an artist who shaped Punjab’s grassroots music scene in the 1980s has reached an international audience. For Ali, awards matter, but the heart of filmmaking remains connecting with Indian viewers first.  (IANS)