When someone mentions Kartik Aaryan and his films, what are the first things that come to mind? Mainstream cinema, comedy and content that will make you laugh but that is not necessarily the reason you remember him for? Well, with his latest film ‘Chandu Champion’, it looks like Kartik is finally ready to make a mark. Here’s why and how?

When Kartik Aaryan debuted with ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, little did he know that one day he would play the role of Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar in a film directed by Kabir Khan. So far, Kartik has mostly charmed audiences as a flamboyant college goer, a ghost exorcist or a small-town boy. For ‘Chandu Champion’, Kartik had to do more than just lose weight; he had to break out of his image, forget what he had learnt and become someone he never was. Finally, after months of preparation, Kabir Khan got his Chandu.

Khan told IndiaToday.in why he cast Kartik Aaryan in the lead role, who is otherwise known for playing light-hearted roles. “If you look at my entire career, I never followed the image of a particular actor. If that was the case, Salman would not have been Bajrangi. John and Katrina would not have been in New York,” he said.

He further added, “For me, I only look at the raw material in a person who is an actor. And, in this case, I saw that childish enthusiasm in Kartik that Murlikant Petkar needed. I also saw that hunger in Kartik to do something that he is not used to, to go into a zone that is going to be uncomfortable for him, to go through a body transformation journey. He was very famous for his hair, his haircut and presenting himself in a different way. And, sometimes when you see that enthusiasm in an actor, half the battle is won.”

‘Chandu Champion’ is a new beginning for Karthik. The focus here is not on his funny side or boyish charm.

Chandu was a real-life athlete, his story was full of grit and determination. For Karthik, it meant leaving behind the comfort zone of commercial comedy and venturing into the demanding world of a biopic.

However, the biggest change was probably internal. Kartik’s characters so far have been about young men who struggle with everyday life and love. Going by the trailer, ‘Chandu Champion’ is a completely different story. It is a story of overcoming hardships and staying strong even in the face of adversity.

Watch the trailer of ‘Chandu Champion’ here:

Talking about this, Taran Adarsh ​​told India Today.in, “I saw a film called ‘Freddie’ and was surprised to see the level of maturity in his (Kartik Aryan) acting. When you say Kartik Aryan, what comes to my mind? ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, ‘Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety’ or ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’. When you think of Kartik, this is the image that comes to your mind. But for him, to reach that place of ‘Freddie’ and now ‘Chandu Champion’, he has been honing his skills, refining his art and getting the craft right.”

Adarsh ​​further added, “He is working with directors where his craft is being honed. He is doing ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ and another love story for Bhushan Kumar. They are great commercial films. But it is also very important for an actor to get into this zone. He is getting into a zone which is very different from what he has done before or what is tried and tested.”

Now imagine the boy who cracked jokes in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, recreated ‘Aami Je Tomar’ and is now suddenly in the war zone, fighting enemies and making the country proud. If the trailer has got us talking, it’s only a matter of time when the film hits theatres and Kartik once again manages to make the film his own. Of course, he has the backing of Kabir Khan, a director who is known for bringing his best and most intelligent ideas to the screen effortlessly.

As trade analyst Akshaye Rathi told us, “As an audience, I am hoping for that perfect balance where my intelligence is challenged but I am thoroughly entertained. And there are some films that do that. Rajkumar Hirani’s films have done it before. Kabir Khan’s own film ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ has done it. There are many other films that strike the right balance between respecting your time, money, effort and intelligence or going to the theatres. I really hope this film does that.”

Expressing his love and affection for ‘Chandu Champion’ and Kartik Aaryan, producer Sajid Nadiadwala said, “The film is great. It is very beautiful. I felt it is an inspiration for the youth of India. That anyone can become a champion. It is a film about India. I want every child to watch this film. Kartik is the right choice for this film.”

Chandu Champion is not just a film for Kartik; it is a test. Will the actor, known for his comedic timing, be able to deliver a performance that is full of depth and emotional weight? While that will be decided later, one thing is for sure. Chandu Champion is definitely a step forward in Kartik Aaryan’s career, whether it succeeds commercially or not.

But will he be able to do it or not? We are waiting for June 14 to know the final answer.