The movie is inspired by a real-life story showcasing the extraordinary and surreal life of Murlikant Petkar, a soldier and athlete who brought home India’s inaugural Paralympic gold medal in 1972. His exceptional accomplishments and incredible journey toward success remained hidden from the public eye until he chose to receive the recognition and admiration he had earned rightfully.
Kartik exhibits notable self-control and impulsiveness and effortlessly embodies an unquestionable comfort in his character that was not present in his previous films or performances. In addition to his physical transformation, he effectively portrays the character’s emotional journey. Bhuvan Arora deserves recognition for his portrayal as Petkar’s amiable companion. Rajpal Yadav and Vijay Raaz contribute significantly to the narrative’s richness through their presence.
The narrative of the film spans from the 1950s to 2018, encompassing Petkar’s journey from childhood to receiving the prestigious Padma Shri award. Throughout the story, we witness his complex relationship with fate and God, as he harbors an unwavering Olympic dream. Despite facing unexpected devastation and moments of despair, Petkar remains undefeated. This film possesses a similar fluidity to Forrest Gump and captures the essence of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, yet it exudes a slightly rebellious spirit without a specific cause or conflict.
Kabir Khan’s film stands out from most sports biopics as it takes a unique approach, portraying a man’s relentless pursuit of an Olympic medal. In his quest, he ventures into various sports such as wrestling, boxing, and swimming. While this may seem absurd and overly ambitious, it adds an element of excitement to the story. Petkar’s journey makes us contemplate whether having a certain level of delusion can actually be beneficial. The unwavering determination of Petkar prompts contemplation on whether a certain degree of self-delusion aids in perceiving oneself as a champion, despite being overlooked by others.
For any sports drama, the narrative structure follows a predictable pattern of rise/fall/ rise again. Chandu Champion also suffers from this issue. Even though the protagonist’s aim is a bit different from that of other sports movies, the proceedings he goes through are not that unpredictable. Because of this weakness, the film’s emotional quotient takes a hit. Also, the music in this sports drama could have been much more inspiring.
