Chandu Champion
Chandu Champion is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports drama film written, directed and produced by Kabir Khan along with producer Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. The film stars Kartik Aaryan in the titular role as India's first Paralympics gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar.
Principal photography took place from July 2023 to January 2024, with filming held in London, Wai, Jammu and [Kashmir |Jammu, and Kashmir]. Chandu Champion was released on 14 June 2024 to mixed-to-positive reviews, with praise for Aaryan's performance, Khan's direction and cinematography. It emerged as a commercial failure, grossing ₹88.73 crore worldwide. At the 70th Filmfare Awards, the film received 4 nominations, including Best Production Design and Best Lyricist, and won the award for Best Actor.
Plot
An aged Murlikant Petkar arrives at a local police station, saying he wants to file a complaint against the President of India for not being awarded the Arjuna Award for his achievements. He adds that his winning the award would help develop his village. When questioned by an officer about his eligibility, he recounts his remarkable journey:Murlikant grew up in a small village called Peth Islampur in Maharashtra. At a young age, he develops the ambition to win an Olympic gold medal for India, for which he is mocked and made fun of by his classmates and also scolded by his father.
Events lead him to run away from home and join the Indian Army Corps of EME, where he is selected and trained as a boxer. He was selected to represent India in boxing at the International Services Sports Meet 1964 in Tokyo, where he did well, but lost in the final round because he was distracted and not focused enough. Disappointed at his losing in spite of his potential, his coach Tiger Ali refuses to train him further.
Their unit is involved in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, in which their camp comes under air attack. He is severely injured, with a bullet injuring his spine, rendering him a paraplegic. He is admitted to an infirmary for the war wounded, where, depressed at his condition and that he can never win an Olympic Gold, he has given up on life and attempts suicide.
His former coach Tiger Ali visits him in the infirmary, and inspires him to compete in the Paralympics. He trains hard and qualifies for the 1972 Summer Paralympics in the 50m freestyle swimming event. While he is there, the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Olympics takes place, due to which the Paralympics are shifted to a different venue in Heidelberg. He successfully progresses through the multiple heats at the new venue and ultimately wins the Gold Medal, setting a new World record. Once news reaches his village, he becomes a celebrity and is welcomed back by the villagers with great fanfare.
However, his achievements have been forgotten over the years. The police inspector is impressed by his story but still suspicious about its authenticity. He contacts a journalist to write an article about him. Upon reading the article and receiving Petkar's application for the Arjuna Award, he is visited by a senior government official, who tells him that the Arjuna Award is too small an award for his achievements, and the government has instead decided to award him the Padma Shri.
On 20 March, he received the Padma Shri from the President of India.
It is narrated at the end that the inspiring story of Murlikant Petkar is a fruitful and befitting reply to all ups and downs in life, crossing all obstacles, every mocking and every fun made of, with the dialogue by Murli, Ae, hasta kaiko hai?.
Cast
Production
Development
Kabir Khan first announced the film in July 2022. The film was officially announced with a motion poster on 4 July 2023 by Sajid Nadiadwala, to be directed by Kabir Khan and starring Kartik Aaryan.Casting
was chosen to play the lead in his second collaboration with producer Sajid Nadiadwala after Satyaprem Ki Katha. Aaryan underwent a significant physical change for the role, reducing his body fat percentage from a remarkable 39% to a slender 7% over only 14 months.Filming
Principal photography commenced on 12 July 2023 with a Muhurta puja in London, where the first schedule was completed. The second schedule commenced on 24 September 2023 in Kashmir. The crew also filmed the movie at Wai village in Maharashtra. Filming wrapped after eight months on 31 January 2024. A challenging 8-minute single-shot war sequence was shot at Aru, [Jammu and Kashmir|Aru Valley] in Jammu at 9000 feet above sea level.Music
The music for the film is composed by Pritam, while the lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, IP Singh and Kausar Munir. The first single titled "Satyanaas" was released on 24 May 2024. The second single, "Tu Hai Champion," was released on 30 May 2024. The third single titled "Sarphira" was released on 8 June 2024.Marketing
The film's trailer was released on 8 May 2024 at Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Aaryan's hometown, Gwalior. Aaryan promoted the film at the dance reality show Dance Deewane. A special film screening was held for the Indian Army officers on 5 June 2024 in Delhi, where Petkar was felicitated.Release
Theatrical
The film was theatrically released on 14 June 2024.Home media
The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 9 August 2024.Reception
Critical reception
Chandu Champion received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise for Aaryan's performance, Khan's direction and cinematograhy.A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Chandu Champion rests on Kartik Aaryan's powerful performance and some strong moments." Nishad Thaivalappil of News18 rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Overall, Chandu Champion, skilfully directed by Kabir Khan, proves irresistible with its powerful feel-good story."
Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Kartik Aaryan delivers an earnest performance in Murlikant Petkar's inspiring story." Arushi Jain of India Today rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "What makes the Kartik Aaryan-led film worth a watch is the way that Kabir Khan truly believes in his story and turns it into a feel-good experience."
Sukanya Verma of Rediff rated 2.5/5 stars and notes, "Chandu Champion is Kartik Aaryan's most ambitious work so far, and the actor's muscular gusto is undeniable. There's visible fire in the man's belly, but not enough soul." Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Kartik Aaryan makes you root for his character even though Kabir Khan's film falls into declarative, underlined patches."