Kartik Aaryan bestowed with Maharashtrian of Year 2025

Mumbai: Renowned actor Kartik Aaryan has been conferred with the prestigious 'Maharastrian of the Year 2025' award in recognition of his extraordinary performance as Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medalist, in the biographical drama "Chandu Champion".

Through his performance, Aaryan has brought to light the extraordinary journey of one of Maharashtra's unsung national heroes, capturing Petkar's unwavering determination and indomitable spirit. His intensive physical and emotional preparation for the role has earned widespread acclaim, with many hailing his commitment as a testament to his evolution as a serious performer.

Upon receiving the award, Kartik expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am truly honoured to receive the Maharashtrian of the Year 2025 award. This is a proud moment for me and my family. While I hail from Gwalior, Mumbai has been my 'karmabhoomi'—this city has given me my name, fame, home, and everything I have today. Since childhood, my dream was to become an actor and come to Mumbai, and that decision became the turning point of my life. As the Bhagavad Gita says, one should focus on their work without worrying about the results. Awards like the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year are a testament to that belief, and I will continue to dedicate myself to my craft.”