Cinema VinesAt the 2026 National Film Awards, Kartik Aaryan received his first Best Actor honour for his portrayal of Murlikant Petkar in the biographical sports drama Chandu Champion. The award, announced in a ceremony that gathered the film’s crew and cast, became a deeply emotional moment for everyone involved, according to director Kabir Khan.
Speaking to India Today, Kabir described the recognition as a “personal win” and emphasized that it belongs not only to Aaryan but to the entire team that translated Petkar’s life story onto the screen. He said he called the actor immediately after learning of the win, praising his “intense preparation” and the “complete physical and mental transformation” he underwent for the role.
Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist, is the central figure of the film. Aaryan had to portray the athlete at various stages—from his early days to his recovery after life‑changing injuries—requiring a year and a half of rigorous training. He practiced boxing with international athletes, learned a new dialect, altered his physique, and performed swimming scenes without using his legs.
For Kabir, the award highlights the craft behind Aaryan’s performance, a point he made when noting that mainstream Hindi actors are often judged more on popularity than on acting choices. He called the performance “a performance for the ages” and said the National Award acknowledges the hard work that went into bringing the story to life.
The accolade marks a significant milestone in Aaryan’s career, signalling one of his strongest critical breakthroughs after years as a bankable commercial star. Kabir and the actor are already collaborating on their next project, and the director said the team plans to celebrate the National Award milestone soon, turning the achievement into a shared moment for everyone who helped build Chandu Champion.
