Chandu Champion Movie Review: From Story to Acting to Screenplay to Direction; This One Indeed Is Picture Perfect!

So, on 14th of June the much-awaited Kabir Khan directed film “Chandu Champion” released. An inspiring tale, based on the life of Padma Shri recipient Mr. Murlikant Petkar. The film begins in the early 1950s, kid Murlikant is taken to Karad Station to see Khashaba Jadhav as he returns from a historic Olympic win. Little Murli unaware of things, decides to win the Olympic Gold Medal for India and enters Kusti ka akhada. Grown-up Murli (Kartik Aaryan) is teased as “Chandu Champion” by locals and is called Kaccha Limbu by his own coach. The perception changes when he bears the opponent Pahalwan in a fight that he was supposed to lose, and then he is ran out of the village, only to find a new direction for his career – the Army. In the Army, Murli is guided by Tiger Ali (Vijay Raaz) in the boxing ring and becomes a sensation at the Olympics. With Gold being close to him, Murli loses his concentration due to glamour and glitter around him and loses the final. In 1965 war, he is hit by 9 bullets but still survives, only to be left with paralyzed legs. Will he be able to complete his dream of winning gold for India? Here’s me telling you the good and bad aspects of the film so that you guys can ultimately decide whether to watch it in theatres or not?

The film is an intelligently disguised story of a man whom history cannot faze out easily. Murlikant Petkar’s life story has the right ingredients for a clever biopic which Kabir Khan, Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar have executed with delectable imagination. At no point does the film scatter in terms of story or intention, steering close to the relevant facts. Khan rightfully reuses his trademark style of narration which works to enhance the film’s tempo by absorbing your attention into it even more.

The story’s melodrama is restricted, keeping the dramatic bits plain. It is painful to see the 1965 WAR sequence of the story which have been carried out remarkably. In a particular sequence, where Murlikant Petkar urinates in his pants after his entire lower body has been paralyzed is the most fearsome portrayal of wretchedness! The story’s tainted scenes weave the haunting air fantastically and yet the cherish able moments maintain the story’s sheen. A couple of scenes are beyond the dimensions of cinematic marvel and ooze innocence wrapped in simplistic story telling!

From the glee of winning his first Olympic match to when he loses the final match in Tokyo to when he falls down crying the pent-up tears of years, the story’s terrain is smartly packed with judicious amounts of highs and lows, making the film’s recipe flawless.

Kartik Aaryan has immersed in himself the soul of Murlikant Petkar. Giving the best work of his career, he is resplendent as Murlikant Petkar. He brings out Murlikant’s vulnerability with charm and his passion with force. There is comfortable and effortless energy Kartik infuses in his role which makes me sure no one could have played it better than him. The actor will impress you with the work he has done on his physique. He has drawn a believable, grounded and exemplary picture of a man whose story people are less fluent with. With this unblemished portrayal, Kartik will astound you!

Vijay Raaz shines through every scene with a first-rate work and amazes you with his easy confidence.

The rest of the cast – Bhuvan Arora, Yashpal Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, and Hemangi Kavi even in their little roles do spotlessly well.

After Tubelight, Kabir Khan faced a stark low and with 83 & Chandu Champion he makes up as he has easily matched the high of Bajrangi Bhaijaan. His homage to the forgotten hero is an epic, with him caressing every detail with research and fondling every emotion through the film’s journey with tenderness. His storytelling still has the sparkling vision, and his style has the ability to keep you latched to the screens.

The story’s strength is in its reality and Kabir Khan, Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar has ensured that the screenplay rightfully fits in every bit coherently. The editing is so lucid that the 2 hours plus runtime isn’t tedious at any point. Kabir Khan, Sumit Arora and Sudipto Sarkar with their skilled craftsmanship has weaved a tapestry of sheer compelling genius out of the life of an unsung yesteryear sports personality!

The background score by Julius Packiam in wonderful and Pritam’s songs croon with beauty!

Chandu Champion will have you captivated with its grit and enigma. Made with panache, it’s hard to take your eyes off Kartik Aaryan, who enriches Murlikant Petkar as a surreal charismatic figure beyond the realms of flesh and blood! I am going with a 4/5 and applause for the film’s team. This one is so moving and scintillating that such films are a reward to the audiences for bearing through the fiascoes!

Chandu Champion is one of those rare films which are hard to forget long after you are done with them. This Kabir Khan biopic based on the magnetic life of athlete Murlikant Petkar, is all about pluses that champions the spirit of human living! Watch it for Kartik Aaryan who impeccably replicates the soul of Murlikant Petkar and leaves you with goosebumps!

Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, We Are Overjoyed To Have You!

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Gangubai Kathiawadi starring Alia Bhatt was a film that I was unsure how it would transition to the big screen. The film is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai,” and it focuses on Gangubai’s life beginning at a young age. On paper, the film is an intriguing story about a person with a chaotic past. I was mainly skeptical because if Bhansali, as a filmmaker, deviates from historical epics, it might be hit or miss. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmography includes films like Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, which have a feeling of opulence steeped in history and folklore. This is not to say that he hasn’t proven himself when it comes to experimenting with films like Guzaarish, Black, and Khamoshi, his debut picture, which many believe to be his greatest. Despite some outstanding performances and gorgeous music, Bhansali’s film “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela” is my least favorite. As a result, I was hesitant to make any predictions about how the movie would turn out. Gangubai was pushed into prostitution at a young age, according to Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai,” and as a part of the troubling system during the 1960s, when Mumbai was more or less the playground of the underworld, the most notorious criminals and influential officials had also become her customers. She was sold to a brothel for 1000 rupees after running away from home at the age of 16 with thoughts of having a happy married life. Shantanu Maheshwari makes his Bollywood debut in this film. Ajay Devgn makes a cameo appearance in the film as Karim Lala, an infamous don with a lot of power in Kamathipura who helps and protects Gangubai, whom he considers his sister. The voyage of survival in the midst of organized chaos and criminality was an intriguing scenario, especially given Bhansali’s perspective. So, here I am, discussing my opinions about the film.

I had almost given up on Gangubai Kathiawadi because it had been in the works for so long. I was also convinced that Bhansali had manipulated facts to make the picture an epic drama after seeing the first teaser, but little did I know that it would still be fantastic.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is built on a simple Shayri: “Harr Kisi ko jahan nahi milta, kabhi Zameen to kabhi aasmaan nahi milta.” It neither excuses nor praises any character, whether it is Gangubai or Karim Lala.

The dialogues are Bhansali’s trademark with a poetic touch, and they are written with amazing talent. You could even get chills from some of them. (And when Alia/Ajay say them, it’s incredible!)

Scenes are written with care, and the interactions between Gangubai and Lala, as well as those between Gangubai and other supporting characters, are well worth seeing.

The film is devoid of traditional romance and focuses instead on a single person’s struggle to survive.

The narrative loses its grip in the second half, with some heightened melodrama, while the film holds its own in the first half. In addition, the climax could have been written better. It appears to be lacking in detail and slightly silly.

Alia Bhatt gives her best performance in her career. She captures the essence of the character and demonstrates why she is the finest candidate for the role. She is utterly droolworthy, from her excellent accent to her confident body language. Her efforts are readily apparent. Bhatt could win a few accolades for her outstanding performance!

Shantanu Maheshwari is near-brilliant in his performance, which is free of constraints and hitches.

Though Vijay Raaz only appears in a few moments, he is excellent in every one of them.

Indira Tiwari deserves a particular mention for her outstanding performance as Alia’s best friend.

Seema Pahwa does a fantastic job in her role. She threatens with savagery, which serves the film brilliantly.

With his act, Jim Sarbh gives yet another outstanding performance.

Ajay Devgn has announced his presence with a roar.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is pure cinematic perfection in terms of direction. After years of anticipation, Bhansali’s obvious vision of making it an epic is realised. Sudeep Chaterjee’s cinematography, costumes, and sets all come together to create a spectacular presentation.

The soulful music adds to the overall effect.

Alia Bhatt’s outstanding performance is the film’s icing on the cake. Watch the film for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s aesthetic vision and, without a doubt, Alia’s best performance of her career. For the film, I’m giving it a 3.5/5.