Release Date: 14 June 2024
Director: [[Kabir Khan (director)
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala, Kabir Khan
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Vijay Raaz, Bhuvan Arora
Music Director: Pritam, , Julius Packiam
Box Office: ₹66.7 crore
Plot Summary: '''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.{{Cite web|author=|url=https://thehinduimages.com/details-page.php?id=198325074|title=PRESIDENT PADMA AWARDS MURLIKANT RAJARAM PETKAR|publisher=The Hindu}} 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, saying the dialogue of Murli, ''Ae, hasta kaiko?''
Music Director: Pritam, , Julius Packiam
Box Office: ₹66.7 crore
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.
