Chandu Champion movie review: All Heart No Beat

Chandu Champion movie review

Chandu nahi hai champion hai mein says Kartik Arayan in the film and the other line which gets repeated quite often is ‘hasta kai ko hai’ in this Kabir Kahn directed sports biopic which begins on a shaky/off-putting note. The movie begins with an aged Murlikant Petkar (Kartik Arayan) entering the local police station and demanding to file a complaint against the Presidents of India for not honoring him with the Arjuna Award (I doubt whether Mr. Murlikant Petkar had really done this in reality). And even if he has done this actually to put pressure on the government than I think a better execution was needed.

Kartik Aaryan in all that make up of an aged senior sportsman of India fails to impress and his dialogue delivery lacks the required dialect and impact. He improves it later when he gets injured and is disabled but till then Kartik Aaryan’s limit as an actor gets exposed.

Further, Kabir Khan chooses to tell a human story and not a motivational biopic and in this choice, Kabir Khan misses the versatility/range Murlikant had which was displayed at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

Murlikanth displayed his talents in javelin, precision javelin throws and slalom and ended up as a finalist in all three events.

In the reel Murikanth story, Kabir Khan sticks to swimming only for reason better known to him. Yes, the phase where we see Kartik releasing his emotional range and displaying a far better body language though the tone/vocabulary lacks the dialect) especially during the grueling swimming training sessions, ‘Chandu Champion’ becomes the movie I wanted to see.

Anyhow, like the omission of Murlikantyh’s heroics in javelin, precision javelin throws and slalom in the film, I wondered why Kabir Khan has to unnecessary show his knowledge of world history by mentioning the attack during the Munich Olympics and remaining completely unaware of the political/social scenario in India during the struggle of Murlikant in the film.

This obsession with the west by some Indian filmmakers is appalling, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ trailer is the latest example of Hollywood/western influence.

Anyways, the technical aesthetics and outstanding supporting cast lift ‘Chandu Champion’ from a sure shot disaster.

Vijay Raaz as Kartik's coach is stellar, the actor as a nariyal (tough from outside, soft from inside) shows his caliber as a coach who understands Murlikanth’s dreams and sufferings.

Both Kartik Aaryan and Vijay Raaj share a strong bond.

Rajpal Yadav provides light moments in an endearing portrayal.

Bhuvan Arora as Kartik’s friend in the army and fellow boxer is first rate and the chemistry between Kartik and Bhuvan is niece.

Production values are topnotch. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography travels along with Kartik Aaryan showcasing his dreams, desires and sufferings from the village in Maharashtra to the German Olympics with all the shades of joy and grief.

Editing by Nitin Baid is fine. Music by Pritam is functional, background score by Julius Packiam is impressive. That ‘styanaas’ song reminds of ‘hawan karreinge’ from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag in its feel and energy but seems forced.