Kartik Aaryan shines, but Chandu Champion plays it too safe to truly inspire.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Chandu Champion is broadly positive, with most reviewers finding it an engaging and feel-good sports biopic anchored by what several critics call Kartik Aaryan's career-best performance. Kabir Khan's direction and his commitment to bringing an unsung hero's story to screen were frequently highlighted as strengths. Detractors, however, pointed to formulaic and predictable storytelling, over-reliance on declarative dialogue, and a sense that the film relies on calculation over genuine emotional depth. A notable minority of critics also felt Vijay Raaz outshone the lead in his limited screen time.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 14 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review
Kartik Aaryan goes full-tilt at playing Murlikant Petkar and does make you root for his character despite the film's falling into declarative, underlined patches. This is the kind of film whose treatment, where everything you see is supported by dialogue, and lashings of obvious humour, makes it less than what it could have been: the beats are predictable, even as it gives us a likeable, inspirational hero we've never heard about.
Top critic
Film review
A one-man show but trust Vijay Raaz to turn a supporting role into something much more than that. When he is on the screen, Kartik Aaryan has to concede ground to him.
Film review
Chandu Champion rests on Kartik Aaryan's powerful performance.
Film review
Kartik Aaryan delivers his career-best performance in Kabir Khan's Chandu Champion. Overall, Chandu Champion is a heartfelt tribute to Murlikant Petkar's extraordinary life with Kartik Aaryan's phenomenal performance and Kabir Khan's earnestness in telling the story of the unsung hero making this biopic an impactful watch.
Film review ·
Overall, Chandu Champion, skilfully directed by Kabir Khan, proves irresistible with its powerful feel-good story. Undoubtedly, Kartik has delivered his career-best performance that aptly conveys his character's inner turbulence.
Film review
Chandu Champion is an exceptionally well made biopic that celebrates the eventful life of Padmashree Murlikant Petkar. What doesn't help its cause is its familiarity.
Film review ·
What makes the Kartik Aaryan-led film worth a watch, is the way that Kabir Khan truly believes in his story and turns it into a feel-good experience.
Film review
Thankfully, Kabir Khan's biographical sports drama is far superior to both the movies I just discussed. However, these annoyances melt away as Khan regains his grip on the plot. In a nutshell, even if it's not exactly a champion of a film, Chandu Champion remains an engaging watch.
Film review
Chandu Champion dives into the pool of biopics with a spirited stroke, but his scattered storytelling occasionally treads water. Kartik Aaryan admirably wears the mantle of Murlikant Petkar, balancing charm with the grit of a determined athlete.
Film review
Chandu Champion is Kartik Aaryan's most ambitious work so far and the actor's muscular gusto is undeniable. There's visible fire in the man's belly but not enough soul. Compared to its heartfelt approach, Chandu Champion is a movie made out of calculations, not spirit or insight.
Film review
It’s a real-life story, but it embraces the fact-is-stranger-than-fiction aesthetic.
Film review
Kartik Aaryan, who plays this complex character, embodies the role with the kind of eagerness and earnestness he has channelled in many of his previous outings. And the early naïveté of Petkar blends nicely with the actor's own curiosity to discover the depth of his role.
Film review
This heartwarming tale celebrates the exemplary journey of an unsung and forgotten hero. The biographical sports drama presents Murli's triumphs and failures with equal impact.
Film review
Filmmaker Kabir Khan is good at telling tales of social misfits and underdogs. After 83, this week, Kabir has put together yet another rousing sports drama; the difference is that he has picked an unsung hero this time.
Credits
Kartik AaryanMurlikant Petkar
Vijay RaazTiger Ali
Bhuvan AroraKarnail Singh
Rajpal YadavTopaz
Yashpal SharmaUttam Singh
Hemangi KaviMurli's Mother
Shreyas TalpadeSachin Kamble
Brijendra KalaPrisoner
Dilnaz IraniINHS Ashwin Nurse
Bhagyashri BorseNayantara
Sonali KulkarniJournalist
Gavie ChahalDara Singh
Pushkaraj ChirputkarConstable
Ganesh YadavGanpat Bhau
Jagat RawatDoctor
Shivraj WalvekarMinister PatilMore Hindi films
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