The much-anticipated release of Chandu Champion, directed by Kabir Khan and starring Kartik Aaryan, opened to a lukewarm response at the box office on its first day. Despite the pre-release buzz and positive reviews, the film managed to collect only 5.5 crore on Friday at the domestic box office. This opening, although modest, marks a significant moment for Kartik Aaryan as it is his first major release post-pandemic.
Chandu Champion is a sports biopic that narrates the inspiring story of Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist in freestyle swimming. Kartik Aaryan plays the titular role of Chandu, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of the legendary athlete. The film, which also stars Shreyas Talpade, Rajpal Yadav, and Vijay Raaz, is jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan.
Opening Day Performance
The film's opening day collection of 5.5 Cr, while modest, is reflective of the cautious return of audiences to theatres post-pandemic. According to reports from Sacnilk, this is Kartik Aaryan's lowest opening in eight years. For context, his previous films such as "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" (2018) opened at ₹6.42 crore, "Luka Chuppi" (2019) at ₹8.01 crore, and "Pati Patni Aur Woh" (2019) at ₹9.10 crore. Even his much-panned 2020 film "Love Aaj Kal" opened at ₹12 crore.
Also read: Chandu Champion Review: Ambitious biopic marred by cheesy dialogues, subpar acting by Kartik Aaryan
Post-Pandemic Box Office Trends
Kartik Aaryan's journey at the box office has been a rollercoaster, especially post-pandemic. While Ram Madhvani's "Dhamaka" (2021) and Shashanka Ghosh's "Freddy" (2022) were direct-to-digital releases, Aaryan revived the box office with Anees Bazmee's horror-comedy "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2" in 2022, which had a remarkable opening of ₹14.11 crore. However, not all his recent ventures have been successful; Rohit Dhawan's "Shehzada" (2023) underperformed, opening at ₹6 crore, while his last film "Satyaprem Ki Katha" (2023) managed ₹8.25 crore on its opening day.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Despite the tepid box office numbers, Chandu Champion has received mostly rave reviews from critics. The film's portrayal of Chandu's resilience and determination has resonated well with audiences, earning praise for its compelling narrative and strong performances. Kartik Aaryan's portrayal of the titular character has been highlighted as one of the film's standout elements, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
The film’s narrative not only focuses on Chandu's achievements but also delves deep into his personal struggles, offering a holistic view of his life. Directed by Kabir Khan, known for his adept storytelling in films like "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" and "83," "Chandu Champion" brings to screen a blend of emotional depth and sporting triumph.
Future Prospects
The initial box office performance of Chandu Champion suggests a cautious optimism. The film's success in the coming days will depend heavily on word-of-mouth and the sustained interest of audiences in biographical sports dramas. With the positive critical reception and a strong narrative, there is potential for the film to pick up pace over the weekend and in subsequent weeks.
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