Kartik Aaryan has received the National Award for Best Actor for his performance as Paralympic champion Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion. Director Kabir Khan celebrated the milestone with a heartfelt message for the actor.
Kartik Aaryan has reached a major milestone in his acting career with his National Award for Best Actor win for Chandu Champion. The actor received the honour on September 22 for his portrayal of Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist.
The achievement prompted an emotional celebration from the film’s director, Kabir Khan, who shared a picture with Kartik on social media and congratulated him on the recognition.
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Kabir Khan Celebrates Kartik Aaryan’s National Award Win
Kabir Khan shared a photograph with Kartik Aaryan after the actor received the National Award and accompanied it with a message celebrating his journey.
“Humesha sher ki chaal chalna mere champion… with that unmistakable laugh of yours…”
The director’s message highlighted the professional bond they developed while making Chandu Champion, a film that required Kartik to undergo a significant physical and performance transformation for the role.
Kartik has repeatedly spoken about the demanding preparation involved in portraying Murlikant Petkar, whose life story forms the basis of the film.
Kartik Aaryan Calls the National Award a Dream Come True
Following the ceremony, Kartik reflected on his journey from Gwalior to receiving one of Indian cinema’s major national honours.
In his social-media note, the actor described himself as the “mumma’s boy from Gwalior” who had once dared to dream of becoming an actor despite coming from a small-town background.
He wrote that he had finally witnessed the moment he had dreamed about and described the experience as a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
For Kartik, the National Award represented not only recognition for Chandu Champion, but also a milestone connected to the aspirations that first drew him toward acting.
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‘Chandu Nahi, Champion Hai Main’
Kartik also revisited the film’s memorable line while celebrating the honour:
“Chandu Nahi, Champion hai Main.”
The phrase took on added significance after the actor was recognised for playing Murlikant Petkar, the Indian athlete whose sporting career and achievements inspired the film.
Kartik said he remained grateful to Kabir Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala for trusting him with the responsibility of portraying Petkar.
He described the filmmaking journey as extremely demanding but said the recognition made the experience deeply rewarding.
Kartik Thanks His Parents, Friends and Team
In his note, Kartik made it clear that he viewed the National Award as a collective achievement rather than an individual one.
The actor credited his parents for being his backbone and spoke about their unconditional love and support throughout his career.
He also thanked his friends for encouraging him during moments when he was losing hope and acknowledged his professional team for helping him navigate his work.
Kartik said he wanted to share the honour with everyone who had been part of what he described as an “impossible journey.”
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Kartik Dedicates Honour to Paralympians and Dreamers
Kartik also connected his National Award to the athletes whose stories continue to inspire audiences.
He said he would like to share his biggest honour with Paralympians across the country and with people who continue to pursue difficult dreams despite obstacles.
That sentiment reflects the central theme of Chandu Champion, which traces Murlikant Petkar’s journey from adversity to becoming a Paralympic gold medallist.
The film brought Petkar’s story to a mainstream audience, with Kartik portraying the athlete across different stages of his life.
Kartik Aaryan’s Journey From Gwalior to National Recognition
Kartik’s National Award marks another significant chapter in a career that began after he moved from Gwalior to Mumbai with ambitions of becoming an actor.
He made his film debut with ** Pyaar Ka Punchnama ** in 2011 and subsequently became known for films including Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luka Chuppi, Love Aaj Kal, Dhamaka, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Satyaprem Ki Katha.
With Chandu Champion, he took on a dramatically different challenge by portraying a real-life sporting figure and undergoing extensive physical preparation for the role.
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Kartik Thanks the National Award Jury
Kartik concluded his message by thanking the National Award jury, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and President Droupadi Murmu for the honour.
He described the recognition as the beginning of what he hopes will be many more milestones in his career.