‘Amar Singh Chamkila' starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra is set to premiere on Netflix on May 12. 

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the movie depicts the untold story of Punjab's legendary singer, the top-selling artist of his era, who rose from poverty to immense fame in the 1980s through his powerful music.

Chamkila was the original rockstar of the masses, angering many along the way, which finally led to his assassination at the young age of 27.  

Chamkila was born into a Dalit Sikh family on July 21, 1960. He wanted to become an electrician but ended up working at a cloth mill in Ludhiana.

He knew how to play harmonium and dholki which turned him into a protege of renowned singer Surinder Shinda. 

Chamkila means one that glitters, and although the film's trailer shows him objecting to it, he eventually adopted it as his stage name. 

His lyrics have been touted to be provocative, commenting on alcohol and drugs, as well as extramarital affairs. 

On the fateful day March 8, 1988, at 2 pm Chamkila and his wife Amarjot were gunned down as they tried to exit Mehsampur, Punjab after a performance.

A gang of motorcyclists fired several rounds at the couple and other members of their entourage. 

Unfortunately, no arrests were made and the case remains unsolved to this day.