Javed Akhtar Reviews Chandu Champion, Calls Kartik Aaryan a 'Delightful Surprise' In Kabir Khan Film

Javed Akhtar is impressed with Kartik Aaryan’s recently released film, Chandu Champion. On Tuesday, the screenwriter and lyricist took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle to review the Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan movie. Akhtar mentioned that he enjoyed the second part of Chandu Champion and called Kartik’s performance in the film a “delightful surprise”.

“Watched Chandu Champion. Who would have believed it if it not would have been a 100% true story particularly enjoyed the 2nd half. Another feather in Kabir Khan’s cap . Kartik is a delightful surprise in a dramatic role. Vijay Raaz is brilliant. Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterji’s work is mind blowing. My hats off to the editor,” he wrote. Check it out here:

Directed by Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion hit theatres on June 14, 2024. The film is based on the life of India’s first Paralympic gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar. It received mixed reviews from all and has earned a little over Rs 30 crore at the Indian box office as of now.

Kartik went through rigorous training to look the part of a freestyle swimmer in the film, which involved reducing his weight from 90 kgs to 72 kgs and his body fat from 39% to 7%. In fact, Kartik recently took to social media to share a viral before-and-after transformation picture of himself that encompassed his journey from an ‘insomniac’ to a ‘fitness enthusiast’.

In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Kartik’s trainer said he started a ‘program-based workout’ with the actor in 2022 for Chandu Champion, and back then, the actor was as heavy as seen in the picture that has garnered a lot of scrutiny. Talking about how Kartik’s physicality had ‘shocked’ him, he said, “In the beginning, I gave him some basic movements like squats, pull-ups and push-ups, and he couldn’t do any of it! I knew that he had gained weight for Freddy but the fact that he couldn’t pull off even these basic movements really shocked me.”