'Chandu Champion' review: Netizens hail Kartik Aaryan's honest portrayal of Murlikant Petkar in Kabir Khan's sports drama

Kartik Aaryan, renowned for his exceptional acting skills, has consistently impressed audiences since his debut in 2011's 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama.' Over the past 14 years, he has carved a niche for himself in the industry, continually proving his talent on the big screen. His latest release, 'Chandu Champion,' directed by Kabir Khan, is currently making waves and garnering significant attention.

'Chandu Champion' boasts a stellar cast featuring Bhuvan Arora, Yashpal Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Aniruddh Dave, and Vijay Raaz alongside Kartik Aaryan. The film is a highly anticipated sports biopic, with Kartik in the titular role, depicting the inspiring journey of India's first Paralympics gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar. The movie's release has generated significant buzz and excitement in the industry, dominating social media with excited tweets about the film.

'Chandu Champion' Plot Overview

Based on the true story of Murlikant Petkar, 'Chandu Champion' narrates a gripping journey of courage and resilience. The biopic follows Petkar from a trauma-driven childhood, where he was bullied for his dreams of winning a medal, to his adulthood as a successful boxer under the guidance of Tiger Ali.


The film also depicts his time in the Indian Army during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, where he sustained a major injury that left him paralyzed from the knees down. Despite these adversities, Petkar overcame his physical and mental trauma to win the Paralympic gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event, bringing immense pride to India.

'Chandu Champion' Twitter Reactions

The release of 'Chandu Champion' has been met with overwhelmingly positive responses from audiences and critics alike. On Twitter, a user shared, "#ChanduChampionReview #ChanduChampion is a standout 2024 sports drama that tells Murlikant Petkar's inspiring story with honesty. #KartikAaryan shines in a transformative role. Despite a slow second half, its powerful narrative and grand production make it a must-watch. 4 stars."


Another user praised the film as Kartik Aaryan's career-best performance, tweeting, "Review - #ChanduChampion Rating - 4*/5 Kartik Aaryan Career Best Film. Chandu Champion makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you believe in yourself, it's an extraordinary film by Kabir Khan."

A fan wrote, "This is cinema. A true masterclass by #KabirKhan. Loved each and every moment of the film and what a powerful performance by #KartikAaryan. He has delivered more than expected. Inspiring story & a powerful message. A must-watch film."

Another user expressed their admiration, stating, "Just watched #ChanduChampion and I'm speechless! Kartik's performance is beyond phenomenal! A true masterpiece by Kabir Khan. Don't miss it!"

Kartik Aaryan's Transformation

Kartik Aaryan has officially shed his soft, small-town boy image, delivering perhaps the best movie of his career with his exceptional acting in 'Chandu Champion.'

In an interview with Variety, Kartik shared, "A lot of prep was required for the skill sets, for the body transformation. One needs to have a lot of patience and mental balance. I was doing romantic films or comedy films before this. But this was the first time I was doing something like this where I had to do a war sequence, wrestling, and more. Kabir-sir always told me it's all about the willpower. The man who refused to surrender in any circumstance, no matter how hard or tough it is."