Chandu Champion Completes 2 Years- Murlikant Petkar Praises Kartik Aaryan

As Chandu Champion marks two years since its release, the film remains celebrated for bringing the remarkable journey of India’s first Paralympic gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar, to a wider audience. Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the sports drama starring Kartik Aaryan won praise for its inspiring narrative and the actor’s transformative performance. The film also proved to be a milestone in Kartik’s career, earning him his first Filmfare Best Actor (Critics) award.

Reflecting on the film’s second anniversary in a recent interview, Murlikant Petkar spoke about its far-reaching impact and applauded Kartik Aaryan’s commitment to portraying his story. “The film didn’t just tell my story—it gave it a much larger voice and reached people across generations,” he said. Petkar added that while only a few people were previously aware of his journey and India’s Paralympic history, many now approach him to share how the film inspired them and changed their perspective on resilience and determination.

Petkar also highlighted the positive shift in public perception of para-athletes. According to him, para-athletes were once viewed largely through sympathy, but attitudes are gradually changing. “Today, I see more respect and admiration. People are beginning to recognise para-athletes as high-performance sportspersons who compete with the same dedication and courage as any other athlete,” he said.

The veteran athlete reserved special praise for Kartik Aaryan, stating that the actor deserves a National Award for the effort he invested in the role. “It was not just an actor playing a character—he truly immersed himself in the role and treated my story with immense respect,” Petkar remarked.

He further commended Kartik for portraying not only the achievements but also the emotional complexities of his journey. “He captured the struggles, self-doubt, anger, and determination that shaped my life, rather than presenting it as a simple success story,” Petkar said. Concluding his thoughts, he noted that what impressed him most was the sincerity with which Kartik approached the role. Even two years after its release, Chandu Champion continues to resonate with audiences for its powerful storytelling and for shining a spotlight on para-sports in India.