Kabir Khan opens up on Kartik starrer Chandu Champion’s debacle; Says ‘The most important thing for me is…’

Kabir Khan opens up on Kartik starrer Chandu Champion’s debacle; Says 'The most important thing for me is...'

As a seasoned lifestyle expert with years of immersion in the dynamic world of entertainment, I must say that Kabir Khan‘s philosophical outlook on filmmaking is both inspiring and insightful. Having observed countless directors throughout my career, it is refreshing to see one who values the longevity and impact of their work over immediate box office success.


As a longtime movie enthusiast with a keen interest in biographical dramas, I had eagerly awaited Kabir Khan’s directorial Chandu Champion, featuring Kartik Aaryan. Unfortunately, despite the hype and anticipation surrounding its release earlier this year, the film didn’t fare well at the box office. However, after a few months have passed, it was heartening to see the director himself address the movie’s failure and express that what truly matters to him is how much the film endures in people’s memory over time. As someone who has seen numerous films rise and fall over the years, I can empathize with Kabir Khan’s perspective on the lasting impact a film can have on audiences, far beyond its initial box office performance.

Just recently, I had the pleasure of joining Kartik Aaryan and director Kabir Khan at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), where they showcased their film, Chandu Champion. After our visit down under, Kabir shared some thoughts with Mid-day about the film’s disappointing performance at the box office. As a lifestyle expert, I always encourage artists to reflect on their work and find ways to improve in the future.

As a devoted follower, I acknowledge that box office numbers do hold some importance for me, yet the affection of the audience means far more. Just like many filmmakers, I believe those who claim box office figures don’t matter are not entirely truthful. To me, it serves as a benchmark to assess a film’s success.

What truly matters to him is the enduring impact of a movie; whether it continues to be discussed and recalled after some time has passed. For instance, Chandu Champion and 83 [2021] have both seen multiple re-watches on streaming platforms. This indicates that people are drawn back to these films, demonstrating their lasting influence and how deeply they resonate with viewers’ memories.

Kabir illustrated his idea by referencing his first movie, Kabul Express, that he confessed was the least successful among all his films. Yet, he expressed joy as people still approached him after 18 years, sharing their affection for it. He added, “There are multiple factors nowadays to determine how deeply a film has resonated.”

In the very same discussion, Kabir mentioned that the movie was challenging to produce due to Kartik’s significant physical metamorphosis. He emphasized that it wasn’t a walk in the park for someone to drop from 39% body fat to just 7%. The director revealed that the actor spent one and a half years mastering boxing, as he had to spar with real boxers in the film.

In a nutshell, the movie “Chandu Champion,” directed by Kabir Khan, follows the life story of Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic champion. Kartik portrayed the lead character, while Vijay Raaz, Shreyas Talpade, Rajpal Yadav, and others took on crucial roles in the production.

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2024-08-25 15:58