In the movie “Chandu Champion,” a journalist remarks, “This is a story that’s difficult to believe, but important to tell.” This line perfectly captures the spirit of this inspiring story, which highlights the remarkable journey of an overlooked hero.
The film, directed by Kabir Khan, is a biographical sports drama based on Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympics gold medallist. It showcases both Murli’s successes and setbacks with profound impact.
Chandu Champion Review
“Chandu Champion” is a heartfelt tribute to Murlikant Petkar’s extraordinary life. Kabir Khan and Kartik Aaryan not only celebrate his achievements but also highlight the resilience and dedication needed to overcome tremendous obstacles. Kartik Aaryan’s phenomenal performance, combined with Kabir Khan’s earnest storytelling, makes this biopic a powerful and impactful watch.
Here’s a table summarizing key details about the movie “Chandu Champion”:
| Chandu Champion | |
|---|---|
| Aspect | Details |
| Star Cast | Kartik Aaryan, Vijay Raaz, Shreyas Talpade, Bhuvan Arora, Yashpal Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Sonali Kulkarni |
| Director | Kabir Khan |
| What’s Good | The story that needs to be told |
| What’s Bad | Nothing much |
| Loo Break | During the interval |
| Watch or Not? | Yes |
| Language | Hindi |
| Available On | Theatrical release |
| Runtime | 143 Minutes |
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Chandu Champion Script Analysis
The story begins in 2017 with an older Murlikant Petkar (played by Kartik Aaryan) explaining to the police why he deserves the Arjuna Award after winning a gold medal for India. Growing up in Islampur village, Sangli, young Murlikant dreams of becoming a wrestler and winning an Olympic gold.
The first hour is captivating, showcasing Murli’s childhood, military service, participation in boxing championships, and the life-changing 1965 Kashmir war where he was shot nine times. Despite surviving a prolonged coma and losing his ability to walk, Petkar’s determination remains unshaken.
Murlikant Petkar faced many challenges, but none could break his spirit. From a young age, he was mocked for his ambitions and called ‘Chandu Champion.’ However, he always remained resilient.
The second hour highlights how Petkar learned to swim to compete in the Paralympics, aiming to achieve his dream. His journey is remarkable and filled with unexpected twists that evoke empathy and admiration, with each tragedy bringing him closer to his goal.
At times, you might think of Murlikant Petkar as India’s own Forrest Gump, with his life taking unexpected turns that leave you concerned for him. Yet, every challenge only brings him closer to his dream. Kabir Khan, along with writers Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar, successfully brings this complex story to the screen, especially in the first half.
Although the second half loses some momentum due to the introduction of more characters and frequent timeline shifts, the film remains inspiring and respectful of Petkar’s journey. Humor is skillfully woven into the story, adding liveliness and preventing it from becoming overly intense.
Chandu Champion Star Performances
Kartik Aaryan delivers his best performance yet in Kabir Khan’s “Chandu Champion.” His physical transformation to portray Murlikant Petkar is impressive, showcasing his dedication to the role.
Under Kabir Khan’s direction, Kartik brings sincerity to his performance, capturing the emotions and dreams of Murlikant Petkar with depth and authenticity. He also perfects the Marathi accent, enhancing the character’s believability. Kartik is outstanding throughout the film.
Supporting actors Bhuvan Arora and Rajpal Yadav add lighthearted moments to the biopic, providing comedic relief that keeps the film from becoming too heavy. Vijay Raaz, playing Murlikant’s mentor Tiger Ali, also gives a strong performance.
Chandu Champion Direction and Music
Kabir Khan’s “Chandu Champion” highlights the journey of an unsung hero with honest storytelling. The director skillfully showcases Kartik Aaryan’s range, exploring facets of his talent rarely seen before.
Kabir Khan ensures that supporting characters shine, emphasizing their importance in Murlikant Petkar’s journey. From his brother to his friend and coach, each character is given due prominence without detracting from the main story.
Kabir Khan’s knack for evoking strong emotions, seen in Salman Khan’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” (2015), is evident in “Chandu Champion” as well. Several moments in the film profoundly move the audience, illustrating Murlikant’s challenging yet inspiring journey.
Pritam’s composition, especially the song ‘Tu Hai Champion,’ stands out as powerful and motivating, adding to the film’s emotional impact.
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Chandu Champion Review FAQs
Q.1. What is “Chandu Champion” about?
Ans. “Chandu Champion” is a biographical sports drama about Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympics gold medallist, showcasing his remarkable journey and resilience.
Q.2. Who directed “Chandu Champion”?
Ans. The film is directed by Kabir Khan.
Q.3. Who plays the lead role in “Chandu Champion”?
Ans. Kartik Aaryan stars as Murlikant Petkar.
Q.4. Is “Chandu Champion” worth watching?
Ans. Yes, it’s highly recommended for its inspiring story, Kartik Aaryan’s phenomenal performance, and Kabir Khan’s heartfelt direction.
Q.5. What is the standout song in “Chandu Champion”?
Ans. The song “Tu Hai Champion” by Pritam is particularly powerful and motivating.
