Kartik Aaryan marked the second anniversary of Chandu Champion on 14 June 2025 with a deeply personal post on social media, calling it 'the most special film of my life' and hinting at a new collaboration with director Kabir Khan. The anniversary note, shared on Instagram, doubled as a teaser — ending with the promise that 'Champions will be back.'

The Post That Stopped Fans

In an emotionally charged tribute, Aaryan reflected on the physical and psychological transformation required to portray Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympics gold medalist. 'Two years ago, I stepped into the shoes of a man the world had forgotten, and he ended up reminding me of everything I believed in,' he wrote. He described losing 18 kilos for the role as 'nothing compared to everything I gained.'

The actor spoke candidly about self-doubt during the shoot: 'Every early morning, every drop of sweat, every moment of self-doubt on set — it wasn't acting. It was living.' The language was unusually raw for a Bollywood anniversary post, and the post quickly drew widespread attention from fans and the film fraternity.

Gratitude to the Team

Aaryan reserved special thanks for director Kabir Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala, crediting them with making the project possible. 'Kabir Sir, thank you for trusting me with a story this sacred. Sajid Sir, for making it possible and always being that powerhouse!!' he wrote. He also acknowledged the crew who trained alongside him at 5 AM every morning.

The Tease: 'Champions Will Be Back'

The most headline-grabbing element of the post was its closing lines. Aaryan signed off with: 'P.S. Can't wait to share with you all what we have next for you. Bas thoda sa intezaar… Champions will be back!' The phrasing strongly implies a reunion project with Kabir Khan, though no title, format, or release window has been confirmed. Given the critical and emotional reception Chandu Champion received, any follow-up would carry considerable expectations.

About Chandu Champion and Murlikant Petkar

Chandu Champion, released on 14 June 2024, dramatised the life of Murlikant Petkar, who won India's first-ever Paralympic gold medal in swimming at the 1972 Heidelberg Games after surviving a near-fatal bullet wound during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The film was widely praised for Aaryan's physical commitment and Kabir Khan's restrained direction, though it had a modest theatrical run relative to its critical reception. It has since built a significant following on streaming platforms.

What Comes Next

No official announcement has followed the anniversary post. Industry observers note that Kabir Khan and Kartik Aaryan working together again would be a marquee pairing, given the goodwill the first collaboration generated. Fans are expected to watch both their social media handles closely for any formal reveal.