'Kartik Aaryan deserves a national award': Paralympic hero Murlikant Petkar reflects on 2 years of ‘Chandu Champion’

Two years after the release of Kabir Khan's ‘Chandu Champion’, the film continues to resonate with audiences and, more importantly, with the man whose extraordinary journey inspired it. India’s first Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar believes the film did much more than chronicle his life, it introduced his story to an entirely new generation.Reflecting on the film's impact, Petkar shared with Hindustan Times that the response over the last two years has been deeply rewarding. “It has been quite a transformative period since the film was released. The film didn’t just tell my story, it gave it a much larger voice and reached people across generations.”According to him, one of the most significant changes has been the growing awareness about both his achievements and India’s Paralympic legacy.

“Earlier, very few people knew about my journey or about India’s Paralympic history, but today, many individuals come up to me sharing how the film inspired them or changed their perspective on resilience and determination.”

Changing the conversation around para-athletes

Petkar feels that ‘Chandu Champion’ has also contributed to a broader shift in how para-athletes are perceived across the country. He believes society is slowly moving away from viewing athletes with disabilities through sympathy and instead recognising their accomplishments and competitive spirit.

“There has been a noticeable shift in how people perceive para-athletes now. Earlier, para-athletes were often seen through a lens of sympathy. Today, I see a gradual shift towards respect and admiration. People are beginning to recognise para-athletes as high-performance sportspersons who compete with the same level of dedication and courage as any other athlete.”While acknowledging that challenges related to infrastructure, opportunities and equal recognition still exist, Petkar remains optimistic about the progress being made.

“But I genuinely feel that the mindset has started to evolve in the right direction, and if a film can contribute even a small part to that shift, it is a very meaningful outcome.”

Kartik Aaryan earned his trust

One of the strongest takeaways from the experience for Petkar was watching Kartik Aaryan immerse himself in the role. The athlete revealed that their relationship evolved significantly during the making of the film as he witnessed the actor’s dedication firsthand.“My relationship with Kartik has been very warm and respectful right from the beginning, but over time, it has definitely grown into something more personal. When we first met, he approached my story with a lot of sincerity and curiosity—he genuinely wanted to understand not just the events of my life, but also the emotions and mindset behind them.”Petkar said the actor's commitment helped build a deep sense of trust between them.“During the process of the film, I saw the kind of dedication and effort he put into portraying my journey, and that created a strong bond of trust and appreciation between us. It was not just an actor playing a role, he truly immersed himself in the character and treated my story with great respect.”Petkar did not hold back while praising the actor’s performance, going so far as to say that Kartik deserves one of Indian cinema’s highest honours for his work in the film. “Kartik Aryan Deserves National Award for his hard work and dedication.”He also revealed that despite their busy schedules, the two continue to stay connected and share a genuine bond. “His journey post the film has been remarkable, and it makes me very happy to see how well he has carried forward the impact of ‘Chandu Champion’. There is a mutual regard, we may not speak very frequently, but the connection remains strong and genuine.”Beyond the dramatic physical changes Kartik underwent for the role, Petkar was particularly impressed by the emotional authenticity the actor brought to the screen.

“He didn’t present it as just a story of achievements, he showed the struggles, the self-doubt, the anger, and the determination that were very much a part of my life.”Several moments in the film struck a personal chord with him, especially those dealing with rejection and perseverance. “There were many moments in the film where I could strongly connect with what was being shown. Especially the phases of rejection, frustration, and the constant need to prove oneself, those emotions felt very real to me.

What touched me the most was the sincerity with which he approached the role.

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Murlikant Petkar on looking back at ‘Chandu Champion’ with pride

Watching his life unfold on screen remains an emotional experience for Petkar. Revisiting the difficult chapters of his journey often brings back memories, but it also serves as a reminder of how far he has come. “Reliving the journey through the film still affects me, and in many ways, it always will. When you see your life unfold on screen, especially the difficult phases, it brings back memories that you may have learned to live with but never truly forgotten.

”For the Paralympic champion, ‘Chandu Champion’ is not merely a film about sporting glory. It is a reminder that perseverance, resilience and belief can transform adversity into achievement, a message that continues to inspire audiences two years after its release.