Chandu Champion: Meet Murlikant Petkar, the first Indian to win Paralympic gold, played by Kartik Aaryan

Murlikant Petkar, Kartik Aaryan Pic/X

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan is all set for the release of his much-awaited film ‘Chandu Champion'. He reportedly essays the role of Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medalist. Murlikant won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds.

Who is Murlikant Petkar?

Murlikant Petkar, who suffered debilitating injuries in an aerial attack during the 1965 war with Pakistan and was rendered paraplegic, bagged the first gold medal for India in the Paralympics -- at the 1972 Games at Heidelberg, Germany.

Petkar won gold in 50m freestyle 3 swimming in the then-world record time of 37.33 seconds. He started with a world record time of 38.19 secs.

A soldier of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Petkar was visiting Jammu and Kashmir when his army camp came under aerial attack from Pakistani troops. "I was out for tea in the afternoon when a whistle was blown to indicate an aerial attack. I tried to rush back to my room but the firing had already started," Petkar, who received multiple bullet injuries and was also run over by an army vehicle in the chaos, told the IPC.

Rendered disabled for life, he was advised by a physiotherapist at INHS Asvini, the Navy hospital in Mumbai, to take up sports as part of his rehabilitation. Petkar tried his hand at table tennis, athletics, and swimming and represented the country in all three.

Born on November 1, 1947, at Peth Islampur in the Sangli district of Maharashtra, Petkar's life changed when he started participating in swimming. Petkar was a boxer before he became disabled.

But things were not easy for Petkar as he had to struggle for funding and could not participate in any more Paralympic Games though he was in top form and could have won more medals.

"There was not much support for disabled people those days but we continued to work hard and participated in events as we wanted to prove that we were capable of representing the country and winning medals," says Petkar, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018.

Now 79, Petkar lives in Pune, spending the quiet life of a retired senior citizen.

About Chandu Champion

Helmed by Kabir Khan, 'Chandu Champion' promises to narrate the extraordinary real-life story of a sportsman's indomitable spirit. Scheduled to hit theatres on June 14, the film is poised to captivate audiences with its tale of resilience and determination.

(With inputs from Agencies)