Kartik Aaryan’s stellar performance as real-life Olympian Murlikant Petkar is winning him accolades and awards even now, more than a year after the film’s release.
Speaking of Kartik’s impact in Chandu Champion director Kabir Khan says, “This is what hard work and dedication of an actor looks like. I always knew, for any actor it was going to be very challenging to essay the role of Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion. It could have gone to an actor far more experienced than Kartik and would’ve still been a challenge.But Kartik rose to the occasion and delivered EVERYTHING that I had desired as a filmmaker.”
Kabir looks at Kartik’s performance as an unconditional triumph. “I’m so proud today to be standing with him and applauding him for winning the BEST ACTOR award. He’s not only a star who delivers commercial blockbusters but also an actor who is hungry for roles that challenge him – a very rare combination in our industry.”
Recalling why he chose Kartik for Chandu Champion Kabir says, “I needed somebody who can look like a boy. I needed somebody who was 18 when he makes a statement. That naivete also. Also, somebody who can look endearing, even when his conduct is questionable. And then when you see him and, you know, with the sort of coming of age for the character, with the whole body transformation, because he really, in the film, has also lived two lives. If you see him in parts of the film, he’s all chubby and he’s like the way a village boy should be.That is the starting point of the film.”
Kabir reveals that Kartik put on substantial weight for the part, “He actually put on all that weight. He wanted to put on some weight for Freddy, but I think he couldn’t stop eating and went on putting on weight.And when I went to him, he was that weighty. He has gone the extra mile.And whenever an actor goes that extra mile, you know, I really wish that he gets recognized and applauded for it.”
