Chandu Champion | Movie Review

Director: Kabir Khan
Star Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Vijay Raaz, Shreyas Talpadei, Bhuvan Arora, Yashpal Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Sonali Kulkarni
Language: Hindi
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

Script Analysis

The narrative of “Chandu Champion” begins in 2017, showcasing an elderly Murlikant Petkar (played by Kartik Aaryan) explaining to the police why he deserves the Arjuna Award, having won a gold medal for India. Hailing from Sangli’s Islampur village, young Murlikant dreams of becoming a wrestler and winning gold at the Olympics. The first hour is captivating, depicting Murli’s childhood, his military service, his boxing championships, and the life-altering 1965 Kashmir war where he was shot nine times. Despite surviving a prolonged coma and losing his ability to walk, Petkar’s spirit remains unbroken.

The hurdles in Murlikant Petkar’s life were numerous, but none had the power to break his morale completely. From childhood, he was teased for his dreams and was called ‘Chandu Champion.’ However, he always remained a fighter. The second hour focuses on how Petkar learns to swim to compete in the Paralympics, aiming to fulfill his dream. His journey is tumultuous and remarkable, filled with unexpected turns that evoke empathy and admiration. Every tragedy and event only brings Petkar closer to his dream.

At one point, Murlikant Petkar could be called India’s own Forrest Gump. The plot of his life keeps taking unexpected turns, leaving you worried for him. But every tragedy, every event only takes Petkar closer to his dream. It’s not an easy journey to bring on the big screen. But Kabir Khan, along with writers Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar, has managed to execute it all so well, especially in the first half.

The second half, however, sees a slight loss of momentum with the introduction of more characters and frequent timeline shifts. Despite this, the film remains inspiring, motivating, and respectful of Petkar’s journey. Humour plays a crucial role in adding liveliness to the story, preventing it from becoming overly intense.

Star Performance

Kartik Aaryan delivers his career-best performance in Kabir Khan’s “Chandu Champion.” His physical transformation to portray Murlikant Petkar is commendable, reflecting the actor’s dedication to staying true to the character. Kabir Khan has brought out sincerity in Kartik’s performance, allowing him to embody every emotion and dream of Murlikant Petkar with honesty and depth. The actor nails the Marathi accent perfectly. Kartik is incredible throughout.

Supporting actors Bhuvan Arora and Rajpal Yadav provide lighthearted moments in the biopic, offering comedic relief that prevents the film from becoming too serious or tragic. Vijay Raaz, portraying Murlikant’s Tiger Ali, also delivers a solid performance.

Direction and Music

Kabir Khan’s honest storytelling in “Chandu Champion” highlights the journey of an unsung hero. The director effectively showcases Kartik Aaryan’s range, which few have explored before. One notable aspect of the film is how Kabir Khan allows supporting characters to shine, emphasizing their importance in Murlikant Petkar’s journey. From his brother to his friend and coach, each character is given prominence without distracting from the central premise.

The director’s ability to evoke strong emotions is evident, as seen in Salman Khan’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” (2015). In “Chandu Champion,” several moments profoundly move the audience, illustrating Murlikant’s challenging yet inspiring journey.

Pritam’s composition, particularly the song ‘Tu Hai Champion,’ is a standout, powerful and motivating.

The Last Word

Overall, “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 required to overcome tremendous obstacles. Kartik Aaryan’s phenomenal performance and Kabir Khan’s earnestness in telling the story of the unsung hero make this biopic an impactful watch.

Watch Verdict: Must-Watch

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