Kartik Aaryan visits Mahakaleshwar Temple with parents after National Award win
Synopsis
Days after winning his first-ever National Award for 'Chandu Champion', Kartik Aaryan made a quiet pilgrimage to Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain with his parents — a personal moment of gratitude that underscores how significantly the recognition has moved him. The win, for portraying Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar, marks a turning point in a career that began in romantic comedies.
Key Takeaways
Kartik Aaryan visited Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain with his parents to offer prayers after his National Award victory.
He won the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards for 'Chandu Champion' — his first-ever National Award.
The film, directed by Kabir Khan , depicts the life of Murlikant Petkar , India's first Paralympic gold medalist.
Kartik and his family participated in the temple's Shayan Aarti and offered prayers at the sanctum.
An emotional video of Kartik's reaction to the live announcement — including hugs with his parents — was widely shared on social media.
Actor Kartik Aaryan travelled to the sacred Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain to offer prayers alongside his parents, days after claiming the Best Actor honour at the 72nd National Film Awards for his performance in 'Chandu Champion'. The visit marked a deeply personal moment of gratitude for the actor, who described the award as a dream he had carried for years.
The Temple Visit
Kartik and his family participated in the temple's revered Shayan Aarti and offered prayers with visible devotion. The actor was photographed with folded hands in the Nandi Hall before proceeding to pay his respects at the sanctum sanctorum. For the outing, he wore a white t-shirt paired with blue denim jeans, keeping the occasion understated and personal.
Several photographs and videos from the spiritual visit have since circulated online, capturing the family's quiet celebration of a landmark career achievement.
The National Award Win
Kartik's temple visit follows his recognition at the 72nd National Film Awards, where he was honoured with the Best Actor award for 'Chandu Champion'. In the film, directed by Kabir Khan, Kartik portrayed Murlikant Petkar — widely recognised as India's first Paralympic gold medalist. The film traces Petkar's extraordinary journey and his resolve to overcome formidable personal and physical challenges.
It is the first National Award of Kartik's career, a milestone that visibly moved both the actor and his family.
The Emotional Announcement Moment
Kartik had earlier shared a video on Instagram capturing the moment his name was announced as the Best Actor winner. The clip showed him watching the live ceremony with his family, his raw reaction on full display. As the announcement was made, he screamed with joy before sharing emotional hugs with his parents. His mother planted a kiss on his cheek in what became one of the most widely shared moments from the awards cycle.
'Still processing... Some moments are simply bigger than words, and this is one of them. A dream I've carried for years has finally come true. Forever humbled, forever grateful Best Actor National Award #ChanduChampion,' Kartik wrote alongside the video.
What the Win Represents
The Best Actor recognition marks a significant shift in how Kartik Aaryan — who built his early career on romantic comedies such as 'Luka Chuppi' — is now perceived within the industry. 'Chandu Champion' demanded a physically and emotionally demanding transformation, and the National Award validates that creative stretch. Notably, the film also brought renewed public attention to the legacy of Murlikant Petkar, whose story had remained largely unknown to mainstream audiences.
With the Mahakaleshwar darshan complete, all eyes now turn to Kartik's upcoming projects and whether this award momentum translates into a sustained run of performance-driven cinema.
Point of View
But the symbolism is hard to miss — a first-generation Bollywood actor returning to devotion after the industry's highest honour. What the coverage tends to underplay is the film itself: 'Chandu Champion' brought Murlikant Petkar's story to a mass audience for the first time, and that cultural function arguably matters as much as the box-office arithmetic. The National Award also reframes Kartik's career trajectory — from a commercially reliable romantic lead to an actor willing to undergo physical and emotional transformation for a role. Whether the industry responds with more such parts, or reverts to casting him in safer formats, will define the next chapter more than any single award.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kartik Aaryan visit Mahakaleshwar Temple?
Kartik Aaryan visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain to seek blessings and express gratitude following his Best Actor win at the 72nd National Film Awards for 'Chandu Champion'. He made the visit alongside his parents.
Which award did Kartik Aaryan win at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his performance in 'Chandu Champion'. It is the first National Award of his career.
Who is Murlikant Petkar, the character Kartik played in 'Chandu Champion'?
Murlikant Petkar is widely recognised as India's first Paralympic gold medalist. Director Kabir Khan's 'Chandu Champion' chronicles Petkar's journey and his determination to overcome significant personal and physical challenges.
How did Kartik Aaryan react when his National Award was announced?
Kartik shared a video on Instagram showing him watching the live announcement with his family. He screamed with joy and shared emotional hugs with his parents; his mother kissed him on the cheek. He wrote that the moment was 'bigger than words'.
What is the significance of this award for Kartik Aaryan's career?
The Best Actor National Award is Kartik's first, and it signals a shift in his career from romantic comedies like 'Luka Chuppi' to more demanding, performance-driven roles. It also brought widespread attention to the real-life story of Murlikant Petkar.
