Tejal Sinha
In a world where fame comes at a cost and identity is a battlefield, Chamak has carved its place as a gripping musical drama set against the gritty backdrop of Punjab’s music industry. At the heart of it all is Paramvir Cheema, who returns in Season 2 as Kaala, a man fueled by revenge and haunted by legacy.
In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, actor Paramvir Cheema delves into the second season of Sony LIV’s Chamak, reprising his powerful role as Kaala — a complex character teetering between legacy and rebellion, rage and redemption. With fame finally in his grasp, Kaala’s journey in the new season is layered with intensity, emotional depth and high-stakes drama and his performance is poised to push the envelope further.
The Black Warrant fame admits he has never personally felt torn between the worlds of legacy and rebellion the way Kaala does. “I’ve never experienced this in real life,” he says with quiet clarity. But when it comes to portraying such turmoil on screen, he’s all in.
Reflecting on what fans can expect from Chamak Season 2, he promises a version of Kaala that is more fierce, stylish and turbulent than ever. “Audiences can expect a lot of action, a lot of style, and a lot of rage and intensity. We saw Kaala without power and money in season one — now he has recognition, fame and money. The real question is, what will he do with it? Will he forget his revenge or not? There’s also the love triangle between Lata, Jazz and Kaala which gets even more interesting.”
One moment during the shoot particularly stood out for Paramvir — a helicopter scene with Manoj Pahwa that was left completely to improvisation. “Rohit sir wasn’t there. He told us, ‘Just play whatever you feel like, stay in character.’ I wasn’t sure how I had done, but when I saw the final take, it was perfect. We were fifteen days into the shoot and that confidence from the director meant everything.”
Cheema feels Chamak’s exploration of fame’s darker side has also helped him reevaluate stardom. “Don’t let fame control you. Rather, control yourself. Fame can disappear overnight — so always be prepared. Stay grounded.”
To portray Kaala’s emotional arc, he focused on building a deep backstory. “A strong backstory reflects on screen. We didn’t just discuss the scenes but the life behind the scenes — and that shaped all the nuances.”
Even off-camera, Kaala tends to linger. “A lot of times, when I feel I’m being played or playing someone else, I think about how Kaala would react. Sometimes I snap. And whenever I start singing, I just slip into his zone,” he chuckles.
Chamak is deeply rooted in Punjab’s musical heritage — something that reshaped Paramvir’s own musical palette. “Earlier my playlist had old songs. Now I’ve added a lot of Sufi. I started listening to Arif Lohar, watching his performances. Even being from Punjab, I didn’t know some of the secrets Rohit sir showed us about the music industry. It was shocking.”
Season 2 also continues to build on the musical foundation, exploring different genres. “Kaala’s journey moves from hip hop to folk. We explore every genre this time. And there’s Mandy Gill, who’s the voice of Kaala — what a brilliant singer! I’ve been a fan since season one.”
Among themes like fame, identity, and legacy, it’s identity that resonates most deeply with Paramvir. “It’s important to have your own identity. That’s Kaala’s biggest struggle. In season two, there’s a scene where Dimpy hands him his passport — and that moment hit me hard. Without identity, you’re nothing. Who’s your father? Where do you come from? Why are you the way you are? That defines you.” Asked when he found his own voice as an actor, he smiles: “When Tabbar released and people started saying, ‘Breakthrough performance’ — that’s when I felt like I had arrived.” Chamak, he says, also captures the aspirations and struggles of today’s youth. “Music is a release for everyone. Revenge, however, is never-ending. Don’t waste time on it. Focus on your work, stay with your family, spread love, be humble — that’s what truly matters.” As for what’s next for the actor, he reveals an exciting lineup: Border 2, a film with Aanand L. Rai, a Punjabi film, and two web series are all in the pipeline.
Quote:
A lot of times, when I feel I’m being played or playing someone else, I think about how Kaala would react. Sometimes I snap. And whenever I start singing, I just slip into his zone
