Mumbai: Filmmaker Kabir Khan, who is all set for the release of his upcoming biographical sports drama Chandu Champion, recalled his meeting with Kartik Aaryan and how his instincts were very strong about casting him as the lead character. Speaking to IANS, Kabir, known for his direction in ’83’ and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, spoke about casting Kartik as Chandu Champion.
The film is based on India’s first Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar. Kabir Khan told IANS: “When I was writing the script of ‘Chandu’… Obviously, when you are writing the script, you have an image in your mind. And that image, that character has an age, personality, attitude… So, when you have these indications, the next step is to identify which actor can embody all these characteristics.
Very strongly, I felt those characteristics in Kartik Aaryan.” Kabir informed, “We have never worked together before, haven’t even met properly. Then we had a meeting of about 2.5 hours, in which we talked a lot about the film. As a director, during our conversation, it is my job to judge whether he is right for the character or not. A director’s instincts are very strong. After a 2.5-hour meeting with him, I was very clear that Kartik will be the Chandu champion.” The Ek Tha Tiger director further revealed that he had two questions, which Kartik answered immediately. “I had only two questions, which Kartik answered without hesitation – first, about the haircut, and second, about the very difficult body transformation, since he (Petkar) is an international top athlete. Kartik had no hesitation in both the questions.
I knew he would put in that extra effort to do it,” Kabir Khan concluded. Chandu Champion is jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan. The film will release in theatres on June 14.
