Picture Credit: X
The makers of 'Chandu Champion' starring Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan released the movie's trailer on Saturday, May 18. Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan have produced the movie, featuring Aaryan in a never-seen-before getup. In the movie, Aaryan has essayed the role of India’s first Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, who was a soldier, a boxer, and ultimately a survivor.
Petkar participated in the 1965 war against Pakistan where he sustained nine wounds that left him permanently injured. Petkar won India’s first gold medal in the 1972 Paralympics held in Germany. The athlete also created history with his timings of 37.33 seconds in the 50-metre freestyle swimming. Later in 2018, he was honoured with the Padma Shri.
Director Kabir Khan announced the movie shortly after the release of 83, which was based on India’s win at the 1983 World Cup in England. The recent posters of the film showed the actor in a ripped look. Speaking about Kartik’s role in the movie, Kabir Khan said, “The story of Chandu Champion is an incredibly inspiring true story but the journey that Kartik went through to become this champion is no less inspiring. I met him when he had put on weight for a role. He had 39 percent body fat.”
He added, “I told him that he had to portray an international-level multi-disciplinary sportsperson. He just smiled and said ‘I will do it Sir’. A year and a half later with no use of steroids – something that he was adamant about – we took this photo on set. Body fat 7 per cent!! I’m proud of you.” The movie is set to release on June 14, 2024.
