Chandu Champion: This true story of grit and determination takes the viewers on a roller coaster of emotions

This Kabir Khan directorial begins off hazily but soon finds its grove. Kartik Aryan delivers a knockout performance putting his blood and soul. He doesn’t miss a single beat
  • Starcast: Kartik Aryan, Vijay Raaz, Bhuvan Arora, Rajpal Yadav, Yashpal Sharma, Shreyas Talpade and others
  • Director and writer: Kabir Khan
  • Additional writers: Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar
  • Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan
  • Music: Pritam
  • Production Companies: Naiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films
  • Cinematography: Sudeep Chatterjee
  • Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Genre: Biographical drama

There was a period in Hindi cinema when the on-screen portrayal of disabled/ differently enabled people used to be all about the Bechara syndrome. They were often portrayed as objects of pity or to evoke comedy. But this depiction has undergone a significant change in the recent past. Case in point being Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black featuring Rani Mukherjee. In this movie Rani Mukherjee played a visually impaired girl Michelle based on Helen Keller’s life. Michelle is never reduced to a stock caricature, there is a strong determination to prove herself. In Guzaarish Hrithik Roshan played a popular magician Ethan who suffers paralysis and turns into a radio jockey. Although Guzaarish is a grim story that focuses on Euthanasia/ mercy killing yet it is also a tale of resilience. The scenes of Ethan as a Radio jockey and how he spreads hope through his wit are in particular were compelling.

This year you have had the biopic of the visually impaired businessman Srikant Bolla starring Rajkummar Rao. In this movie director Tushar Hiranandani made some scathing remarks on how some people think that the best way to help the blind is only through making them cross the road. Now you have Kabir Khan’s Chandu Champion based on an incredible true story of Muralikant Petkar. India’s first paralympic gold specialist.

The movie begins in the present with an older Muralikant Petkar (An outstanding Kartik Aryan). He is narrating his tale of glorious days to a bunch of cops. From his younger days itself Murali had a huge dream of winning an Olympic gold medal for India inspired by KD Jadhav an Olympic medalist. He openly says that his dream is to win an Olympic gold medal only to get ridiculed and bullied by his fellow classmates. At one point Murali also runs away from his village. He joins the Indian army and finds a strong ally in the form of Karnail Singh (Bhuvan Arora) who gives Murali hope that he can become the next Milkha. Vijay Raaz plays Tiger Ali. He is a coach cum father-like figure who trains Murali for the boxing championship. He reaches the finals but only ends up with a silver medal leading to a strained relationship with the coach. In the life altering 1965 Kashmir war Murali faces many wounds in the process of trying to save his colleagues. Murali ends up in a prolonged coma becoming paralyzed waist down. At one point he even tries to commit suicide by having excess pills, but destiny has other plans for him. The rest of the story is about how Petekar manages to overcome all the odds fulfilling his dream of winning gold along with why he is narrating his life story to a bunch of policemen.

There is no denying that Chandu Champion has a hazy start. The scenes of Murali in the military camp has a distinct hangover of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The humor at places is also reminiscent of that however the movie finds its grip soon. The scenes of Murali preparing for the boxing championship and how he pummels down his opponents only to lose in the finals has been brilliantly written and enacted. The Pre interval block of the 1965 war and the life altering event sets a solid base for the second half.

The second half becomes even more engaging. The portions of Murali’s despair touches a strong emotional chord. As viewers you root for him to succeed in life. The return of Tiger Ali and the way he motivates Murali to dream big again is wonderful to watch. This time the sport is swimming with the aim of winning gold in the 1972 Summer Paralympics. But here again the path is far from easy as the sports committee is not too keen on funding a player for the Paralympics event. The way Murali overcomes all these challenges and sets a world record by clinching the gold medal in 37.33 seconds is exhilarating to watch.

An aspect of Chandu Champion that elevates the movie from just a template underdog drama is the message that it conveys regarding disability and differently abled people. There is a powerful monologue where Murali talks about how differently abled are not looking for sympathy. It critiques the Bechara syndrome and how sometimes even their best efforts are not given due recognition.

Chandu Champion is also technically strong. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography coupled with Juluis Packam’s background score elevates the movie’s emotional core further. The cinematography of the boxing and the paralympic sequences in particular deserve a special mention.

Pritam’s music is not of the blockbuster type but the songs Tu Hai Champion and Sarphira make a strong impact.

Coming to the man of the moment Kartik delivers a career defining performance. His physical transformation is of course beyond commendable but beyond the physicality the actor also shines bright in the scenes of showing helplessness, frustration, resilience and grit. He more than holds his own opposite the veteran Vijay Raaz. The hunger to be taken seriously as an actor is very much visible. Even as an older man he is pretty good.

Vijay Raaz as the coach has an interesting arc and is not just used for comic relief. He brings in a lot of emotional depth. His emotional moments with Kartik Aryan give the movie some of its best moments. Bhuvan Arora also makes a strong impact in his limited screen time. The camaraderie between him and Kartik is very much on point.

Shreyas Talpade as the funny cop and Sonali Kulkarni as a journalist could have been used better though.

Chandu Champion is an inspiring story that needs to be watched on the big screen. Muralikant Petkar, Kabir Khan and Kartik Aryan take a bow.

Satyaprem Ki Katha: A Heartwarming Story that Makes You Want A Real-Life Partner Like Kartik Aaryan’s Sattu

An important aspect of Sameer Vidwans’s ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ is how it looks at the issue of consent in relationships.

Addresses pertinent social issues.
Satyaprem Ki Katha (Hindi)
  • Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, Gajraj Rao, Supriya Pathak, Rajpal Yadav, and Shikha Talsania
  • Direction: Sameer Vidwans
  • Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala, Shareen Mantri Kedia, and Kishan Arora
  • Music: Meet Bros, Tanishk Bagchi, and Payal Dev
  • Runtime: 2 hours 26 minutes

There is a famous quote in English which says that “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. This goes perfectly well with the film Satyaprem Ki Katha.

The trailer promised a breezy romantic film, but it is more than just a rom-com. Director Sameer Vidwans addresses some pertinent social issues through the lens of a romantic drama.

Synopsis

Satyaprem aka Sattu (Kartik Aaryan) is an underdog who falls in love with Katha (Kiara Advani). Katha belongs to different strata of society which is out of Sattu’s league.

However, circumstances not only bring them together but also get them married. Nevertheless, the marriage doesn’t take off.

Katha comes with a haunting past. Initially, the viewers think it is a case of a bad break-up with her ex-boyfriend. However, it turns out to be more sinister.

The crux of Satyaprem ki Katha is about two things primarily — one is how Sattu wins Katha over; secondly, it is about Katha letting go of her trauma and finding the courage to face the truth.

Picks up pace in second half

The movie does take time to get going. The boy-meets-girl moments don’t have a lot of meat. The director takes time to get to the real meat of the story.

But its picks up after the marriage of Sattu and Katha. The interval point further raises the expectations of the audience and the second half drama is one of the film’s biggest selling points.

Sameer Vidwans does a wonderful job of showing how the relationship evolves between Sattu and Katha. The evolution is not only about their relationship but also about their individual characters.

Societal issues

An important aspect of Satyaprem Ki Katha is how it looks at the issue of consent in relationships.

The film also briefly reminds you of the famous Amitabh Bachchan dialogue “A No is a No”.

Kiara’s Katha is a victim of date rape. Her ex-boyfriend penetrates her badly, even when she resists. Katha’s father has no idea about this.

Kartik Aaryan’s Sattu does come across as too idealistic with his patient behaviour. But as viewers, you don’t mind because Sattu is not presented as some social reformer.

Sattu, of course, has his moments of frustration and the change in his character happens gradually.

The film has also got some entertaining family moments. The best examples are the ones featuring Kartik Aaryan and his on-screen dad Gajraj Rao. There is visible warmth between them in both the comic and emotional bits.

Director Sameer Vidwans presents an authentic middle-class milieu.

Cinematographer Ayananka Bose does a good job of capturing the locality of Ahmedabad.

Performances

The songs composed by multiple composers are mostly melodious. The best of the lot is “Naseeb Se and Aaj Ke Baad“. “Gujju Pataka“, on the other hand, isn’t high on lyrics but Kartik’s dancing along with the peppy tune makes it an energetic track.

Out of the two leads, Kartik Aaryan scores more with his act. He is not only good in the goofy bits but shines equally in intense scenes.

Kiara Advani takes some time to settle down. The reason behind her character’s aloofness doesn’t have the required emotional heft in the beginning. But both Kiara and her character get better as the film progresses. Overall, she delivers a competent performance.

Final verdict

In Satyaprem Ki Katha, Katha is fortunate to have a happy ending which many women can’t hope to have. Many more Sattus are the need of the hour!

(Views expressed here are personal.)