Yes, Chandu Champion is a biographical sports drama inspired by the life of Murlikant Petkar, who is India’s first Paralympic gold medalist. Released in the year 2024, the movie is written, directed and produced by Kabir Khan, along with Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Actor Kartik Aaryan plays the titular role of Murlikant Petkar in the movie.
Chandu Champion dramatises the events in the life of Murlikant Petkar. However, the core story of his life, from an aspiring boxer and an Indian army soldier to a podium finish in Paralympics, is rooted in Petkar’s real life experiences. The movie highlights his resilience as an unsung hero.
Inspiration Behind Chandu Champion: Real Life Story of Murlikant Petkar
Murlikant Petkar was born in Peth Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra. From a young age, Petkar showcased immense talent in sports and particularly excelled in boxing. As a schoolboy, he once defeated the village headman’s son, leading to a backlash from the villagers. Consequently, he left his village and joined the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers as a soldier.
Petkar excelled in boxing in the Indian Army. He represented India in boxing at the 1964 International Sports Meet in Tokyo. His life took a turn for the worse during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Petkar’s camp came under attack and he suffered multiple gunshot wounds. A bullet lodged in his spine left him paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
While in the hospital, Petkar started learning swimming and soon became an expert in it. He soon took up other sporting disciplines as well and became a Maharashtra state champion in javelin, shot put, weightlifting, archery and tennis. He represented India in swimming and table tennis at the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympics.
In the 1972 Hiedelberg Paralympics, he created history by winning the gold medal in 50m freestyle swimming. Petkar was awarded a Padma Shree in 2018.
Reception and Box Office Collection
Chandu Champion received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics commended Kartik Aaryan for his performance in the role of Murlikant Petkar. The cinematography and direction also received positive response from the critics.
The movie grossed INR 74.35 crore in India and INR 13.79 crore overseas.