Chamak: Is It A Good Musical Drama?

Chamak (Season 1/India/2023) is an intriguing crime and musical series from Punjab, India. Both the whodunit murder crime as well as the passionate Punjabi music are its plus points.

In the past, we have read about tragic incidents, in which famous Punjabi artists like Amar Singh Chamkila and Sidhu Moosewala were killed in the Punjab state. While Chamkila was gunned down in 1988, Sidhu was murdered recently in 2022.

In a way, this crime drama series highlights the fact that no artist should be killed for their art.

Chamak: When Music World Collides With Crime World In Punjab…

Series Review [Spoiler-Free]: “Chamak” (Season 1, India, 2023)

The introduction

Kaala (Paramvir Cheema) is an aspiring young singer. He was forced to return to Punjab after fleeing from Canada, after committing a violent crime. Back home in Punjab, he learns that his father, a legendary singer Taara Singh, was shot dead during a performance along with his mother. After that, to find and unmask his parents’ killers, he dives deep into the underbelly of the Punjab music industry. Business and politics reign supreme in Punjab, but with his unwavering motivation and fierce determination, he continues his search for the people who murdered his parents.

Thus this thriller drama series explores the themes of identity, home, music and revenge by the protagonist Kaala.

However, there are a few more layers to its dramatic story, including that of a supposed ‘love triangle’. Or was it a (smart) move on the part of Kaala? Well, we don’t know that. Maybe its second season will throw some more light on this aspect of the tale.

Synopsis

Kaala – an aspirational rapper from Canada who flees back to Punjab, learns about the mysterious murder of his father and iconic singer Taara Singh. The story unfolds the dark side of the (Punjab) music industry’s glamour, politics and more.

Episodes titles & their meanings

We loved its Punjabi (Hindi) Music

Anyways, as this Chamak series is set against the backdrop of the music industry in the northern state of Punjab, India, we get to hear many good foot-tapping Punjabi songs. So, in this musical series, our top pick is the pulsating ‘Mat Maari‘ song. In this absorbing scene, we get the first real glimpse into the musical talent of the protagonist Kaala. Later in this series, we undertake the musical journey of Kaala, a young artist from Canada who, in a twist of fate, lands in Punjab, discovers his lost family and embarks on a quest to avenge his father’s death. His music is his revenge. But is it so?

As he struggles to find his rightful place in the crowded scene in Punjab, the Khairaat (charity) song truly conveys his feelings. It is difficult for us to pick one of our favourites from the eclectic songs from this series shared in the spoilers below. Don’t forget to check the music out to get a fair idea.

Director Rohit Jugraj Chauhan

The creator and director Rohit Jugraj Chauhan has given us a fascinating inside look into the world of the Punjabi music industry. Besides incorporating soulful contemporary Punjabi music in this show, director Rohit directs a wonderful ensemble cast to showcase the thriving (music) culture of Punjab.

The diverse genre of Punjabi songs is in it.

The ensemble cast is led by the lead actor Paramvir Cheema (Kaala), and his two romantic interests Isha Talwar (Jazz) and Akasa Singh (Lata).

Then there are other well-established actors like Manoj Pahwa (Pratap Deol), Rakesh Bedi as (Teja Grewal), Navneet Nishan (Rocky Aunty), Gippy Grewal (Taara), Mohit Malik (Guru Deol), Suvinder Vicky, etc.; almost all of them have done an excellent acting job in this suspense-filled thrilling musical show.

The conclusion

This year, we have seen two good web series set in the unique social or cultural milieu of Punjab. The first one was the Kohrra show. And the second one is this Chamak series. Go, ahead. And watch the Chamak. Enjoy! This is what we did in the last weekend.

Rating

Poster

All in all, no human being should be killed. But, an artist is killed because of their art. When their pen becomes too powerful and it feels like it can become a big problem, they are suppressed… It’s said that Chamkila was killed because he used to sing weird songs that were not liked by the society. Then, Sidhu’s case happened

Paramvir Cheema (Kaala) | Outlook magazine

Key Details

Trailer

Spoilers Alerts: Lovely Songs from Punjab

'Mat Maari':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-8fZykQwmk

'Khairaat':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1STmeqKjOp8

'Edar Odar':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR0gkFQo2aM

'Tota Puri':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTj4xa-eqoo

'Sun Zindagi Ka Sangeet':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4azHrKSoE2M

'Gattar Bandey':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28CdETTp-7Y

'Kangi Wava':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWeCRJpUGEE

'Ganda Banda':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfcflloXLYI

'Aas Lagi Hai':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJZoZOBEYo

'Velvet':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTHcIx-Ld5M

'Dhamak London':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlvqyXBSsag

'Jaave Yaara' (Song Of Pain):- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZYLnmXi8mM

'Main Meera Main Deewani':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01dstCEI4S8

'Chal Uth Kaale':- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Def-C5DlO0

Chamak series music (& other) videos:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Def-C5DlO0&list=PLn5vww_8o5KuTCTy0hphGCreu9Mi3bNDy

Also, check out and read our FM review of the Kohrra (2023) Series from Punjab in our Focus Magazine.

Featured Image and Poster of the Chamak (2023) Series | Pics. Credit: Sony LIV.