Latest news with #ChanduChampion


Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Paralympic legend Murlikant Petkar meets Army para-athletes
India's first Paralympic Gold Medalist and Army veteran Murlikant Rajaram Petkar on Wednesday visited the Army Paralympic Node (APN) at Bombay Engineer Group and Centre in Pune. During his visit, he interacted with para-athletes of the Indian Army, as well as patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Artificial Limb Centre, Pune and the Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Military Hospital, Khadki. Starting his sporting career as a boxer in the Indian army before sustaining bullet injuries during 1965 war, Petkar went on to win gold in Swimming in 1972 paralympics. 'His story of unmatched resilience and fortitude served as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all present. His visit was a powerful tribute to the Indian Army's enduring legacy of nurturing champions – both on the battlefield and in the sporting arena.' said a press statement from the Army. Petkar's journey is the inspiration behind Kartik Aaryan starrer Kabir Khan film, Chandu Champion. Born on November 1, 1944 at Peth Islampur area of Maharashtra's Sangli, Petkar joined the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in 1962 as a Craftsman. Petkar's sports journey began when he represented the Indian Army in Boxing at Tokyo. It was during the 1965 India Pakistan war, Petkar sustained nine bullet injuries in the Sialkot sector resulting in a permanent disability. Refusing to be held back, he transitioned to Para sports and won the gold in the 50-metre freestyle swimming event in the 1972 Summer Paralympics held at Heidelberg in Germany. 'One bullet still remains lodged in my spine as a reminder. I spent 16 months in various hospitals fighting a battle for my recovery. The doctors suggested I take up swimming to help my recovery. It soon became my passion.' Petkar had said during an interaction with the Indian Express earlier. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018. Petkar's visit on Wednesday marked a special moment as he interacted with Subedar Hokato Sema, Bronze Medalist in Sitting Shot Put at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and Subedar Soman Rana, Vishisht Seva Medal, a two-time Paralympian from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Petkar was felicitated by Maj Gen Anurag Vij, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Maharashtra and Goa Sub Area, for his remarkable contributions to the nation – both in uniform and beyond. 'The Indian Army has long been a cradle for world-class athletes, supported by cutting-edge training establishments and a robust ecosystem that blends physical excellence with indomitable spirit. This event reinforced the Indian Army's commitment to training and empowering its wounded warriors to achieve excellence in sports and stood as a testament to its focus on rehabilitation through sports.' the release stated.


Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Caught cheating on…': Kartik Aaryan recreates Coldplay's kiss cam scandal with a hilarious twist. Watch
The internet had a field day after Andy Byron's kiss cam scandal at the Coldplay concert, and content creators have been recreating the moment on social media ever since. Now, actor Kartik Aaryan has joined the trend, giving his own hilarious twist to the incident—leaving everyone in splits. Kartik Aaryan recreates the viral clip from Coldplay's 'kiss cam'. Kartik Aaryan recreates viral clip from Coldplay's kiss cam scandal On Wednesday, Kartik took to Instagram and shared a video recreating the viral clip of former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron having a cosy moment with head of HR Kristin Cabot during the Coldplay concert. However, he gave it a comical spin and captioned the video, 'Almost got fired.' The fun video shows Kartik enjoying a chocolate bar, but as soon as he notices the kiss cam on him, he ducks down, throws away the chocolate, and lifts dumbbells to do bicep curls. The video also includes on-screen text that reads: 'Fitness freak Kartik Aaryan caught cheating on his diet at the Coldplay concert last night.' Fans flooded the comments section, calling it the 'best recreation ever.' One user wrote, 'Creativity peaked,' while another commented, 'Only you could have recreated this.' Other reactions included, 'Hahaha, how cute,' and 'Indeed one of the best.' One fan wrote, 'You truly know the best ideas to create content.' Kartik became a fitness freak during the filming of his movie Chandu Champion, in which he portrayed India's first Paralympic gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film received critical acclaim but underperformed at the box office, earning only ₹87.25 crore worldwide. The Coldplay kiss cam scandal The original moment occurred during Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour on July 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. A couple—later identified as Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot—was shown on the stadium's kiss cam mid-show. Instead of embracing the moment, they visibly recoiled—Andy ducked, while Kristin turned away—prompting lead singer Chris Martin to quip on stage, 'Either they're having an affair, or they're just very shy.' The fiasco led to Byron resigning from his post as CEO. Kartik Aaryan's upcoming film Kartik will next be seen in Anurag Basu's yet-untitled musical romantic drama, also starring Sreeleela in the lead role. The film was initially slated for a Diwali 2025 release. However, the filmmaker revealed that one shoot schedule is still pending, leading to a delayed release. Kartik also has Karan Johar's Tu Mera Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri in the pipeline, which reunites him with his Pati Patni Aur Woh co-star Ananya Panday.


Time of India
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kartik Aaryan: The Prince of Brand World
In an ever-evolving advertising landscape, where relatability often trumps legacy, a new kind of superstar is emerging, one who bridges small-town dreams with pan-India influence. With over ₹1,000 crore riding on his name through box office hits and endorsement deals, this rising force is becoming the poster boy for what brands seek today: authenticity, versatility, and new blue-eyed boy Kartik Aaryan is riding an unstoppable wave of success, with over Rs 1000 crore banking on him- not just at the box office, but also in the world of brand endorsements. Following box office successes like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Chandu Champion, Kartik Aryan has become one of the most sought-after faces in Indian advertising, commanding attention from top brands across Kartik is the face of over 30 major brands, with endorsements spanning FMCG, fashion, lifestyle, fintech, automobiles, and tech, his team shares. His current brand portfolio includes names like Armani, Fanta, Doritos, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Max Protein, Skechers, Dabur Oral Care, Manforce, Smart and Handsome, McDowell's, Knorr, Fujifilm Instax, and many more - a testament to his universal appeal and marketing Sharma, filmmaker and co-founder of Chrome Pictures, describes Kartik as "A marketer's dream," citing his boy-next-door charm and authentic public persona as key factors. "He doesn't just endorse brands, he connects with consumers. Be it wit in a Doritos ad or class in an Armani campaign, or projecting confidence with Manforce condoms, Kartik brings credibility and relatability. His youthful energy and progressive image make him incredibly versatile, whether it comes to family-friendly ads or bold choices," Sharma for his clean public image, Kartik has consistently maintained a controversy-free reputation: a rare feat in the entertainment industry that has made him a dependable, family friendly, high-impact choice for advertisers navigating a sensitive and crowded media to Lux Industries' Executive Director Udit Todi, Kartik's real power lies in his origin story: "He comes from a non-filmy, middle-class background and openly shares his journey from Gwalior to stardom. His background isn't just a part of his identity; it's a strategic brand asset. His authenticity connects with Tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences, the backbone of India's consumer market."Todi adds that Kartik's versatility allows him to seamlessly promote products across categories - making him one of the few celebrities who appeal across both mass and premium Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds, echoes the sentiment: "He embodies hope and hustle. His grounded image resonates with young, aspiring India. His style is real, his journey is inspirational, and his rise mirrors the aspirations of millions."Kartik's commercial value reflects his soaring stardom. He currently commands ₹8–10 crore per brand endorsement, while his film remuneration has crossed the ₹50 crore mark. According to Kroll's Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023, Kartik ranks among the top brand endorsers in India, with a personal brand value of $44.5 this brand momentum is Kartik's filmography. His upcoming slate includes Naagzilla, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri in Tera and a much-awaited romantic musical with Anurag Basu - all projects expected to further amplify his presence across screens and deeper into Kartik Aaryan's skyrocketing demand in the brand world, Udit Todi shares, 'His active social media presence delivers massive organic reach, while his consistent visibility across events, red carpets, and media ensures strong 360-degree recall, ideal for high-frequency brand campaigns. He will likely dominate the mass-premium segment, combining affordability and aspiration." Kartik Aaryan commands a massive social media reach with over 55 million followers across platforms, , offering brands a powerful channel for organic visibility and deeper consumer engagement, a valuable asset that amplifies the impact of every Gen Z, he's the perfect mix of real and aspiration, a trendsetter - from binge-worthy reels to his viral gym transformation, he's the guy they watch, meme, and follow across social analyst Joginder Tuteja sums it up aptly: "There are phases when the branding world revolves around a single superstar, and right now, that young superstar is Kartik Aaryan."With a consistent media presence, mass fanbase, social media influence, and a genuine public image, Kartik Aaryan has evolved into more than just a film star to become a brand unto himself. - he is the face of new-age aspirational India, and a brand in himself.


Time of India
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why brands are betting big on Kartik Aaryan's mass appeal
In an ever-evolving advertising landscape, where relatability often trumps legacy, a new kind of superstar is emerging, one who bridges small-town dreams with pan-India influence. With over ₹1,000 crore riding on his name through box office hits and endorsement deals, this rising force is becoming the poster boy for what brands seek today: authenticity, versatility, and new blue-eyed boy Kartik Aaryan is riding an unstoppable wave of success, with over Rs 1000 crore banking on him- not just at the box office, but also in the world of brand endorsements. Following box office successes like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Chandu Champion, Kartik Aryan has become one of the most sought-after faces in Indian advertising, commanding attention from top brands across Kartik is the face of over 30 major brands, with endorsements spanning FMCG, fashion, lifestyle, fintech, automobiles, and tech, his team shares. His current brand portfolio includes names like Armani, Fanta, Doritos, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Max Protein, Skechers, Dabur Oral Care, Manforce, Smart and Handsome, McDowell's, Knorr, Fujifilm Instax, and many more - a testament to his universal appeal and marketing Sharma, filmmaker and co-founder of Chrome Pictures, describes Kartik as "A marketer's dream," citing his boy-next-door charm and authentic public persona as key factors. "He doesn't just endorse brands, he connects with consumers. Be it wit in a Doritos ad or class in an Armani campaign, or projecting confidence with Manforce condoms, Kartik brings credibility and relatability. His youthful energy and progressive image make him incredibly versatile, whether it comes to family-friendly ads or bold choices," Sharma for his clean public image, Kartik has consistently maintained a controversy-free reputation: a rare feat in the entertainment industry that has made him a dependable, family friendly, high-impact choice for advertisers navigating a sensitive and crowded media to Lux Industries' Executive Director Udit Todi, Kartik's real power lies in his origin story: "He comes from a non-filmy, middle-class background and openly shares his journey from Gwalior to stardom. His background isn't just a part of his identity; it's a strategic brand asset. His authenticity connects with Tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences, the backbone of India's consumer market."Todi adds that Kartik's versatility allows him to seamlessly promote products across categories - making him one of the few celebrities who appeal across both mass and premium Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds, echoes the sentiment: "He embodies hope and hustle. His grounded image resonates with young, aspiring India. His style is real, his journey is inspirational, and his rise mirrors the aspirations of millions."Kartik's commercial value reflects his soaring stardom. He currently commands ₹8–10 crore per brand endorsement, while his film remuneration has crossed the ₹50 crore mark. According to Kroll's Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023, Kartik ranks among the top brand endorsers in India, with a personal brand value of $44.5 this brand momentum is Kartik's filmography. His upcoming slate includes Naagzilla, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri in Tera and a much-awaited romantic musical with Anurag Basu - all projects expected to further amplify his presence across screens and deeper into Kartik Aaryan's skyrocketing demand in the brand world, Udit Todi shares, 'His active social media presence delivers massive organic reach, while his consistent visibility across events, red carpets, and media ensures strong 360-degree recall, ideal for high-frequency brand campaigns. He will likely dominate the mass-premium segment, combining affordability and aspiration." Kartik Aaryan commands a massive social media reach with over 55 million followers across platforms, , offering brands a powerful channel for organic visibility and deeper consumer engagement, a valuable asset that amplifies the impact of every Gen Z, he's the perfect mix of real and aspiration, a trendsetter - from binge-worthy reels to his viral gym transformation, he's the guy they watch, meme, and follow across social analyst Joginder Tuteja sums it up aptly: "There are phases when the branding world revolves around a single superstar, and right now, that young superstar is Kartik Aaryan."With a consistent media presence, mass fanbase, social media influence, and a genuine public image, Kartik Aaryan has evolved into more than just a film star to become a brand unto himself. - he is the face of new-age aspirational India, and a brand in himself.


NDTV
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kartik Aaryan Recreates Coldplay Kiss Cam Viral Video, Caught Cheating On His...
Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan has jumped on the bandwagon of memes recreating the viral Coldplay kiss cam video and the result is a fun video. What's Happening Kartik Aaryan shared an entertaining reel on his Instagram page on Wednesday where he recreated the viral video of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company's HR chief Kristin Cabot from the Coldplay concert, Boston, which took the Internet by storm after it was found that the two were involved in an extramarital affair. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) The actor captioned the post as "Almost got Fired..." What's The Truth The fun video featuring Kartik Aaryan also had a running text, which read, "Fitness freak, Kartik Aaryan, caught cheating on his diet, at the Coldplay concert last night". In his case, the actor, who has become a fitness freak since he starred in 2024's Chandu Champion, was caught cheating on... wait for it... his diet with a bar of chocolate. In the reel that he shared, the actor -- who was most recently romantically linked with Sreeleela, his co-star in Anurag Basu's next film -- is seen spitting out a piece of chocolate in his palm once he is "caught on camera" (read: sees the mirror) and quickly starts exercising with his dumbbells. After music composer AR Rahman, Kartik Aaryan is the next celebrity to poke fun at the viral Coldplay kiss cam controversy. AR Rahman recently told the audience at his Washington show that he won't get them into trouble. "Don't worry," he cheekily said, referring to the viral video. In A Nutshell Actor Kartik Aaryan shared a funny video on his Instagram page, poking fun at the viral Coldplay kiss cam video as he was "caught" cheating on his diet.