Chandu Champion

Last updated

Chandu Champion
Chandu Champion film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Kabir Khan
Written byKabir Khan
Sumit Arora
Sudipto Sarkar
Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala
Kabir Khan
Starring Kartik Aaryan
Vijay Raaz
Bhuvan Arora
Narrated by Sonali Kulkarni
Cinematography Sudeep Chatterjee
Edited byNitin Baid
Music bySongs:
Pritam
Score:
Julius Packiam
Production
companies
Distributed by Pen Marudhar Entertainment
Release date
  • 14 June 2024 (2024-06-14)
Running time
142 minutes [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budgetest.70–140 crore [2] [3]
Box officeest.₹88.14–96 crore [4] [3]

Chandu Champion is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports drama film written and directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. It stars Kartik Aaryan as India's first Paralympics gold medallist Murlikant Petkar. [5] [6]

Contents

Principal photography took place from July 2023 to January 2024 with filming held in London, Wai and Jammu and Kashmir. Chandu Champion was released on 14 June 2024. [7]

Plot

2017: An aged Murlikant Petkar arrives at a local police station, saying that he wants to file a complaint against the President of India for not being awarded the Arjuna Award for his achievements. He adds that him winning the award would help in the development of his village. When questioned by an officer about his eligibility, he recounts his remarkable journey:

1952: Murlikant grows up in a small village called Peth Islampur in Maharashtra. At a young age, he develops the ambition to win an Olympic gold medal for India, for which he is mocked and made fun of by his classmates and also scolded by his father.

Events lead him to run away from home and join the Indian Army Corps of EME, where he is selected and trained as a boxer. He is selected to represent India in boxing at the International Services Sports Meet 1964 in Tokyo, where he does well, but loses in the final round because he is distracted and not focused enough. Disappointed at his losing inspite of his potential, his coach Tiger Ali refuses to train him further.

1965: Thereafter their unit is involved in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, in which their camp comes under air attack. He is injured severely, with a bullet injuring his spine, rendering him a paraplegic. He is admitted to an infirmary for war wounded, where, depressed at his condition and that he can never win an Olympic Gold, he has given up on life and attempts to commit suicide.

1972: A few days later, his old coach Tiger Ali visits him in the infirmary, and inspires him to compete in the Paralympics. He trains hard and qualifies for the 1972 Summer Paralympics in the 50 m freestyle swimming event. While he is there, the Palestinian terrorist attack on Olympics takes place, due to which the Paralympics is shifted to a different venue at Heidelberg. At the new venue, he is successful in progressing through the multiple heats and ultimately wins the Gold Medal, setting a new World Record. Once news reaches his village, he becomes a celebrity and is welcomed back by the villagers with great fanfare.

2017: However, his achievements are forgotten over the years. The police inspector is impressed by his story but still suspicious about its authenticity. He contacts a journalist to write an article about him. Upon reading the article as well as receiving Petkar's application for the Arjuna Award, he is visited by a senior government official, who tells him that the Arjuna Award is too small an award for his achievements, and the government has instead decided to award him the Padma Shri.

2018: On 20 March, he received the Padma Shri from the President of India. [8]

It is narrated at the end that the inspiring story of Murlikant Petkar is a fruitful and befitting reply to all ups and down in life, crossing all obstacles, each and every mocking and every fun made of, by saying the dialogue of Murli, Ae, hasta kaiko hai? (Why are you laughing?)

Cast

Production

Development

Kabir Khan first announced the film in July 2022. [10] The film was officially announced with a motion poster on 4 July 2023 by Sajid Nadiadwala, to be directed by Kabir Khan and starring Kartik Aaryan. [11] [12]

Casting

Kartik Aaryan was chosen to play the lead, in his second collaboration with producer Sajid Nadiadwala after Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023). [13] Aaryan underwent a significant physical change for the role, reducing his body fat percentage from a remarkable 39% to a slender 7% over a span of only 14 months. [14]

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 12 July 2023 with a Muhurta puja held in London, where the first schedule was also completed. [15] [16] The second schedule commenced on 24 September 2023 in Kashmir. [17] The crew also filmed the movie at Wai village in Maharashtra. [18] Filming wrapped after eight months on 31 January 2024. [19] A challenging 8 minute single shot war sequence was shot at Aru Valley in Jammu at an altitude of 9000 feet above sea level. [20] [21]

Music

Chandu Champion
Soundtrack album by
Released15 June 2024
Recorded2023–24
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length30:45
Label T-Series
Pritam chronology
Merry Christmas
(2024)
Chandu Champion
(2024)
Official audio
Chandu Champion - Audio Jukebox on YouTube
Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Satyanaas" Amitabh Bhattacharya Arijit Singh, Nakash Aziz, Dev Negi 3:25
2."Tu Hai Champion"IP SinghArijit Singh, Amit Mishra 3:36
3."Sarphira" Kausar Munir Sreerama Chandra 3:25
4."Jamoore"Amitabh Bhattacharya Mame Khan, Kailash Waghmare3:53
5."Na Door Hai Na Paas Hai"Kausar Munir Darshan Raval 4:07
6."Jeet Ka Geet"Kausar Munir Shaan 4:20
7."Sarphira" (Climax Version)Kausar Munir Mohammed Irfan 7:58
Total length:30:45

Marketing

The film's trailer was released on 8 May 2024 at Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Aaryan's hometown Gwalior. [24] Aaryan promoted the film at the dance reality show Dance Deewane. [25] A special screening of the film was held for the Indian Army officers on 5 June 2024 in Delhi where Petkar was felicitated. [26]

Release

The film was theatrically released on 14 June 2024. [7]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 100% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10. [27] A critic for Bollywood Hungama rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Chandu Champion rests on Kartik Aaryan's powerful performance and some strong moments." [28] Nishad Thaivalappil of News18 rated the film 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "Overall, Chandu Champion, skilfully directed by Kabir Khan, proves irresistible with its powerful feel-good story." [29]

Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Kartik Aaryan delivers an earnest performance in Murlikant Petkar's inspiring story." [30] Arushi Jain of India Today rated the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "What makes the Kartik Aaryan-led film worth a watch, is the way that Kabir Khan truly believes in his story and turns it into a feel-good experience." [31]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff rated 2.5/5 stars and notes "Chandu Champion is Kartik Aaryan's most ambitious work so far and the actor's muscular gusto is undeniable. There's visible fire in the man's belly but not enough soul." [32] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote "Kartik Aaryan makes you root for his character even though Kabir Khan's film falls into declarative, underlined patches." [33]

Box Office

As of 11 July 2024, Chandu Champion has grossed ₹74.35 crore in India and ₹13.79 crore overseas for a worldwide total of ₹88.14 crore. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sajid Nadiadwala</span> Indian film producer (born 1966)

Sajid Nadiadwala is an Indian film producer, film director and screenwriter who works in Hindi cinema. He is the owner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Grandson of filmmaker A.K. Nadiadwala, Sajid has written and produced films including Housefull (2010), Baaghi (2016) to directing Kick (2014) that brought him various debutant director awards, and wrote the Marathi film Lai Bhaari that was produced by Riteish Deshmukh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kabir Khan (director)</span> Indian filmmaker

Kabir Khan is an Indian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer who works in Hindi cinema. He started his career working in documentary films, and then made his feature film directorial debut in 2006 with the adventure thriller Kabul Express. He is best known for directing New York (2009), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and 83 (2021). His latest film Chandu Champion was released on 14 June 2024 opening to positive reviews. This was his second sports biopic after 83.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imtiaz Ali (director)</span> Indian film director

Imtiaz Ali is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for directing Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Rockstar (2011), Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015) and Amar Singh Chamkila (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinesh Vijan</span> Indian film producer

Dinesh Vijan is an Indian film producer and director working in Hindi films, known for his banner Maddock Films. Vijan gave up his banking job in 2004 to pursue films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murlikant Petkar</span> Indian swimmer

Murlikant Petkar is India's first Paralympic gold medalist. He won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds. In the same games he participated in javelin, precision javelin throw and slalom. He was a finalist in all three events. In 2018, he was awarded with the Padma Shri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kartik Aaryan</span> Indian actor (born 1990)

Kartik Aaryan is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. While pursuing a degree in engineering, he made his acting debut with Luv Ranjan's buddy film Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011). He went on to star in the romances Akaash Vani (2013) and Kaanchi (2014), but these failed to propel his career forward.

<i>Phantom</i> (2015 film) 2015 Indian action thriller film directed by Kabir Khan

Phantom is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Kabir Khan, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Siddharth Roy Kapur, starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif in leading roles. The screenplay of the film was written in coordination with author Hussain Zaidi's book Mumbai Avengers on the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film was released worldwide on 28 August 2015 to mixed reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiara Advani</span> Indian actress (born 1991)

Alia Advani, known professionally as Kiara Advani, is an Indian actress who works in Hindi and Telugu language films. After making her acting debut in the comedy film Fugly (2014), she played MS Dhoni's wife in the sports biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016). She gained appreciation for playing a sexually unsatisfied wife in the Netflix anthology film Lust Stories (2018) and played the leading lady in the political thriller Bharat Ane Nenu (2018).

<i>Baaghi</i> (2016 film) 2016 film by Sabbir Khan

Baaghi is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Sabbir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under his banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. A partial remake of the 2004 Telugu film Varsham with a climax inspired by the 2011 Indonesian film The Raid: Redemption, the film stars Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles and Sudheer Babu in his Hindi debut, with Sunil Grover in a supporting role.

<i>Housefull 4</i> 2019 film directed by Farhad Samji

Housefull 4 is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language fantasy action comedy film directed by Farhad Samji and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Fox Star Studios. The film is the fourth installment of Housefull Franchise, and stars a cast of Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde and Kriti Kharbanda in the lead roles. The plot deals with reincarnation. Three brothers are set to marry three sisters. However, a peek into the distant past reveals to one of the brothers that their brides have been mixed up in their current reincarnation.

<i>Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2</i> 2022 Indian film directed by Anees Bazmee

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language horror comedy film directed by Anees Bazmee, written by Aakash Kaushik and Farhad Samji, and produced by T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios. It is a standalone sequel to the 2007 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). The film stars Tabu, Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani and follows Ruhaan Randhawa, who has to pose as a fraud psychic to deal with the return of Manjulika, a malevolent spirit hell-bent on vengeance against the Thakur family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddock Films</span> Indian private film production company owned by Dinesh Vijan

Maddock Films Pvt. Ltd. is a production company founded by Indian producer and director Dinesh Vijan in 2014. The company has produced Hindi films such as Love Aaj Kal (2009), Cocktail (2012), Badlapur (2015), Hindi Medium (2017), Stree (2018), Luka Chuppi (2019), Bala (2019), Mimi (2021), Bhediya (2022), Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023), Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024), and Munjya (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaya F</span> Indian actress (born 1997)

Aalia Furniturewala, known by her stage name Alaya F, is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi films. Born into the Bedi family, she is the daughter of actress Pooja Bedi. She made her acting debut in 2020 with the comedy film Jawaani Jaaneman, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has since starred in the thriller Freddy (2022) and the biopic Srikanth (2024).

<i>Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan</i> 2023 Indian Hindi-language film by Farhad Samji

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, also known by the initialism KBKJ, is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film directed by Farhad Samji and produced by Salman Khan Films. The film, a remake of the 2014 Tamil film Veeram, stars an ensemble cast of Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, Bhumika Chawla, Jagapathi Babu, Vijender Singh, Raghav Juyal, Jassie Gill, Siddharth Nigam, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, Vinali Bhatnagar and Satish Kaushik.

<i>Shehzada</i> (2023 film) Film directed by Rohit Dhawan

Shehzada (transl. Prince) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Rohit Dhawan. A remake of the Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), the film stars Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala and Ronit Roy. Aaryan also makes his production debut with the film.

<i>Satyaprem Ki Katha</i> 2023 Indian romantic film

Satyaprem Ki Katha is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Sameer Vidwans and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Namah Pictures. The film stars Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani as the titular leads.

<i>Emergency</i> (2024 film) Upcoming Hindi-language film

Emergency is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language biographical political drama film directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, based on a screenplay by Ritesh Shah and story written by Ranaut. Based on the Indian Emergency, it stars Ranaut as former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The film also features Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman and Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhuvan Arora</span> Indian actor

Bhuvan Arora is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films and series. He has appeared in the television series The Test Case (2018) and Farzi (2023), with the latter emerging as his breakout role.

References

  1. "Chandu Champion (12A)". British Board of Film Classification . 14 June 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  2. Soni, Narendra (14 June 2024). "जानें कितना है चंदू चैंपियन का बजट, कितनी ली कार्तिक आर्यन ने फीस और ब्लॉकबस्टर बनने के लिए फिल्म को कमाने होंगे कितने करोड़" [Know what is the budget of Chandu Champion, how much fee did Kartik Aaryan take and how many crore will the film have to earn to become a blockbuster]. NDTV (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Kartik Aaryans Chandu Champion Surpasses Production Budget With Worldwide Gross Collection Of Rs 96 Cr". Zee News.
  4. 1 2 "Chandu Champion Box Office". Bollywood Hungama . 23 June 2024. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. "Kartik Aaryan completes shooting of Kabir Khan's 'Chandu Champion'". The Hindu. 1 February 2024. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. "Kartik Aaryan's astonishing transformation for 'Chandu Champion' leaves Arjuna Awardee Virdhawal Khade in awe". The Times of India. 31 January 2024. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Chandu Champion: Kartik Aaryan films 8-minute-long single-shot war sequence". Deccan Herald . 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  8. "PRESIDENT PADMA AWARDS MURLIKANT RAJARAM PETKAR". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  9. "REVEALED: Meet Bhagyashri Borse, the mystery girl who features in Kartik Aaryan-starrer Chandu Champion". Bollywood Hungama. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  10. "Kabir Khan announces next film with Kartik Aaryan, says actor will be in a completely new avatar". Indian Express . 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  11. "Kartik Aaryan-Kabir Khan's film titled 'Chandu Champion', to release in June 2024". The Hindu . 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  12. "Chandu Champion: Kartik Aaryan announces title and release date of film with Kabir Khan, Sajid Nadiadwala". Hindustan Times . 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  13. "Kartik Aaryan's film with Kabir Khan titled Chandu Champion, release date announced". Indian Express . 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  14. "Chandu Champion: Kartik Aaryan shares photo of dropping his body fat percentage from 39% to 7% in just 14 months: "From being an insomniac to turning into a fitness enthusiast" 39". Bollywood Hungama . 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  15. "Kartik Aaryan Starts The Shoot Of Chandu Champion With Kabir Khan". ABP News . 13 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  16. "Sajid Nadiadwala's 30th film 'Chandu Champion' starring Kartik Aaryan to be shot in Kashmir". The Times of India. 29 September 2023. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  17. "Kartik Aaryan to shoot for Chandu Champion in Kashmir". Film Companion . 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  18. "From the UK to Wai, Kartik Aaryan's 'Chandu Champion' movie has been extensively shot in and outside India". Mid-day. 6 February 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  19. "Kartik Aaryan wraps up Chandu Champion by tasting rasmalai after a year of sugar-free diet". Telegraph India . 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  20. "Kartik shoots 8-minute war sequence for 'Chandu Champion': Most difficult..." India Today. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  21. "Kartik Aaryan Breaks Down Chandu Champion's "Single Shot War Scene"". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  22. "Chandu Champion Song Satyanaas: Kartik Aaryan Dances Like Nobody Is Watching". NDTV. 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  23. "Chandu Champion song Tu Champion Hai: Kartik Aaryan turns trials into triumph in Arijit Singh's inspiring song". The Indian Express. 30 May 2024. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  24. "Historic launch of Chandu Champion's Trailer in Gwalior". Hindustan Times. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  25. "Kartik Aaryan dances with 'legendary' Madhuri Dixit to Chandu Champion song Satyanaas. Watch". Hindustan Times. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  26. "Kabir Khan on the special screening of Chandu Champion for army officials, "It was a very emotional moment" : Bollywood News". Bollywood Hungama. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  27. "Chandu Champion". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  28. Hungama, Bollywood (14 June 2024). "Chandu Champion Movie Review: CHANDU CHAMPION rests on Kartik Aaryan's powerful performance". Bollywood Hungama . Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  29. "Chandu Champion Review: Kartik Aaryan Delivers Best Performance of His Career in Kabir Khan's Film". News18. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  30. "'Chandu Champion' movie review: Kartik Aaryan delivers an earnest performance in Murlikant Petkar's inspiring story". Firstpost. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  31. "Chandu Champion Review: Kartik Aaryan, Vijay Raaz turn formulaic sports drama into a worthy watch". India Today. 14 June 2024. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  32. "Chandu Champion review:Crowd Pleasing Melodrama". Rediff. 14 June 2024. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  33. "Chandu Champion movie review: Kartik Aaryan goes full-tilt in Kabir Khan's by-the-numbers biopic". The Indian Express. 14 June 2024. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.