The craze for Kartik Aaryan’s new film is high. With the release of the first-look poster for “Chandu Champion,” which was co-produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, there has been excitement throughout the country to see Kartik Aaryan in a role that has never been performed before. Talk about the poster, which showed Kartik Aaryan in “langot,” was overwhelmingly positive. Aaryan plays the first Indian gold medallist in the Paralympics in the movie. The excitement of fans is growing due to the actor’s spectacular transformation into Murlikant Petkar, the paralympic gold medalist whose life story is being portrayed on the big screen by Kabir Khan, a well-known director of impactful films.
Murlikant Petkar Brought To Tears Because Of Special Screening
The real-life hero himself attended a special screening of the movie in Delhi yesterday. The film is based on the life of Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, who was brought to tears by the film.
Who Is Murlikant Petkar?
Murlikant Petkar was born on October 13, 1944, in Peth Islampur, Sangli district, Maharashtra. He set out on an incredible journey. Petkar started off his career in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in 1965 as a tradesman.
India’s first gold medallist at the Paralympic Games is Murlikant Petkar. At the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Germany, he took home a gold medal. With a time of 37.33 seconds, he also set a world record in the 50-meter freestyle swimming competition. Murlikant is a talented swimmer and sprinter who also made it to the finals in the javelin, slalom, and precision javelin throw events. He was an accomplished boxer who won a medal in 1964 at the International Services Sports Meet in Tokyo, Japan. His deployment to Jammu and Kashmir was prompted by this accomplishment. However, during the 1965 war with Pakistan, an aerial bombardment on his camp left him paralyzed for the rest of his life from nine bullet wounds.
Petkar On The Incident
“All I remember now is that we were just resting after having our lunch. Suddenly the Havildar Major came shouting. Some of us, half asleep as we were, thought we were being called for tea. I remember there was some confusion and some jawans just went outside and were killed.”
The Tragedy Couldn’t Put Him Down
The role of physiotherapy was vital during his time of recovery. Petkar discovered a new purpose when his physicians encouraged him to play sports as a part of his recovery. In 1965, he was awarded the Raksha Medal, and in 1969, the army discharged him. He had already participated in the Maharashtra State Athletic Meet in 1967, where he had won titles in archery, table tennis, shot put, javelin throw, and discus throw.
During his sporting career, Petkar competed in table tennis in the 1968 Paralympic Games. He made it beyond the first round but lost in the second round. Unfazed, he turned his attention to swimming and finally competed internationally for India. He became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the 1972 Paralympic Games as a result of his hard work.
Following his Paralympic victory, Petkar started a thirty-year career at Pune’s TELCO. Refusing financial assistance, he went after work.
“They were very happy and I was given a job at Telco in Pune where I worked for 30 years,” he recalled.
Honored By Padma Shri
President Ram Nath Kovind presented Petkar with the Padma Shri in 2018, which is the fourth-highest civilian honor in India. He accepted the award standing up, military-style, despite the crutches on his forearms. Because of his disability, his 1982 candidacy for the Arjuna Award was denied, therefore this honor was particularly noteworthy.
Petkar stated “I have put all that behind me. I am glad that the government finally recognized my achievements. I did feel disheartened when I was denied an Arjuna Award on the ground that I was a disabled person,”
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