January 18, 2025: Actor Kartik Aaryan took to social media to congratulate Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar after he received the prestigious Arjuna Award. Kartik shared a video from the film Chandu Champion—which is based on Murlikant Petkar’s life—alongside a heartfelt note on Instagram.
In his post, Kartik expressed how surreal it felt to witness Petkar’s real-life recognition after portraying his inspiring story on screen. He wrote, “From living your incredible life on the big screen to witnessing you receive the Arjuna Lifetime Achievement Award, at Rashtrapati Bhawan today, It felt surreal.” Kartik also mentioned how the film Chandu Champion, which started with Murlikant’s fight for the Arjuna Award, now feels like it has reached its perfect ending, though he believes Petkar’s journey is far from over. He ended the post by sharing his pride for being part of this historic moment and offering his congratulations to all the Arjuna Awardees.
Kartik also expressed his personal connection to Murlikant’s achievement, stating, “Feeling so proud to be present in this moment framed in history with you and the honorable president of India…. Salute to you and congratulations to all the Arjuna awardees.”
Murlikant Petkar, who became India’s first Paralympic gold medalist in 1972, had also shared his gratitude towards producer Sajid Nadiadwala, director Kabir Khan, and actor Kartik Aaryan for their efforts in bringing his story to the big screen. He emphasized how the movie Chandu Champion has brought recognition to athletes with disabilities, and he expressed that the Arjuna Award was something he had longed for throughout his career.
Filmmaker Kabir Khan also praised Murlikant’s long-overdue recognition, reflecting on how the athlete had previously felt let down by the lack of acknowledgment in his career. Both Kartik and Kabir shared their joy over Petkar’s lifetime achievement award, calling it a milestone in recognizing the efforts of athletes with disabilities.