Cinema VinesActor Kartik Aaryan celebrated a landmark moment in his career when he was announced as the winner of the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Chandu Champion. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi on Saturday evening, marked the first time the Hindi star has received the country’s highest honor for acting. Aaryan’s reaction was raw and emotional, as he let out a scream of joy and was immediately embraced by his parents, who shared the moment with proud smiles.
In a video that quickly went viral, Aaryan captured the instant his name was called during the live ceremony. The clip shows him watching the announcement with his family, erupting in celebration, and then being hugged by his mother and father. He later posted the footage on Instagram, adding the caption: “Still processing… Some moments are simply bigger than words, and this is one of them. A dream I’ve carried for years has finally come true. Forever humbled, forever grateful 🙏🏻 Best Actor National Award #ChanduChampion 🙏🏻.” He also shared a short story on Instagram Stories, writing, “Dreams do come true.”
The award ceremony honored two actors for the Best Actor category: Mammootty for the Malayalam film Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for the Hindi biopic Chandu Champion. The 72nd National Film Awards recognize films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification in 2024, with the winners chosen by a national panel of jurors.
Chandu Champion is a biographical film about Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, born in Maharashtra on November 1, 1944. The story follows Petkar’s journey through multiple sports, particularly wrestling and hockey, and the obstacles he overcame. Aaryan undertook a significant physical transformation to portray Petkar, and the film marks his first collaboration with director Kabir Khan. The movie was jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan and hit theaters worldwide on June 14, 2024.
For Aaryan, the National Film Award feels like the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. “Some moments are simply bigger than words,” he said, reflecting on the overwhelming emotions that still linger after the ceremony. The award not only celebrates his talent but also shines a spotlight on the inspiring story of Murlikant Petkar, bringing a powerful narrative of resilience to a wider audience.
