Chandu Champion Film Review – Kartik Aaryan Outshines Himself in This Captivating Sports Saga

The Tale: Here’s a film that worships the enchanting and borderline fantastical existence of Murlikant Petkar, a military man turned athlete who bagged India’s first Paralympic gold in 1972. His extraordinary saga of destiny remained shrouded in obscurity until he stepped forward to claim the dignity and applause he rightly merited.

Rant by Review Rani: You’ve probably been told, “If respect isn’t dished out, ditch the dining table.” But what about those who plant themselves at that table, forcing people to acknowledge their existence? The spoils of victory, after all, belong to the most stubborn. Kabir Khan’s film raises a toast to this sentiment. It’s about crafting your own champion identity, even when the world smears you with labels like “chandu” or “chomu” or turns you into a laughing stock.

Flitting between past and present, the narrative unravels Petkar’s journey, spanning from the 1950s to 2018 – the year he finally bagged the Padma Shri. We learn that this man, who dreamt of Olympics glory since childhood, has a peculiar love-hate equation with destiny and the divine. He survived when he had given up hope and was shattered when he least anticipated. But defeat? That’s a word missing from his dictionary.

The film possesses a Forrest Gump-esque fluidity and a whiff of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’s spirit. But, unlike these two, this one seems a bit rebellious sans a significant cause or conflict. Petkar’s fury, ignited by ridicule, serves as a catalyst to his talent and tenacity. ‘Hasta kayko hai’, he challenges his critics, sparking a fire within. He reassures himself, ‘Medal se izzat milti hai.’

Most sports biopics revolve around athletes overcoming odds to excel in a chosen sport. Kabir Khan’s film is a delightful deviation as it chronicles a man’s desperate quest for an Olympic medal, dabbling in wrestling, boxing, and swimming. Sounds ludicrous and outrageously ambitious, right? But that’s the charm of it. Petkar makes you ponder if a dash of delusion aids ambition. Only then can you envision yourself as a champion, even when everyone else dismisses your chances.

Kartik Aaryan’s aspiration to be recognized as a serious actor mirrors the inner turmoil of his character. You can almost hear him proclaim, “Ae hasta kayko hai? Actor hai main actor.” Kabir Khan’s choice of lead is an ingenious casting coup. Kartik displays admirable restraint and spontaneity, bringing an ease to his character that we haven’t witnessed before. His performance in the well-executed train song ‘Satyanaas’ is refreshingly uninhibited. Along with a physical makeover, he convincingly portrays the character’s emotional journey. Bhuvan Arora, as Petkar’s affable sidekick, deserves a special shout-out. Rajpal Yadav and Vijay Raaz add depth to the narrative with their performances. However, for a sports drama, the music could have packed a bigger punch.

Kabir Khan seems to have a soft spot for uplifting cinema, and CC (Chandu Champion) slides right into that genre. Whether it’s Salman Khan in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev in 83, or Kartik as Petkar, he knows how to draw the best from his mainstream actors. His narratives effortlessly blend humor, sports, and sincerity, but he is capable of digging deeper. There’s more emphasis on what happened to a person than their internal struggle. The monotony kicks in after a point, diluting the impact of the climax. CC is engaging and even heartwarming at times, but it seems to follow a template. Staying the course is okay, but occasionally breaking the rules might just add the needed zing.