At a sweltering Gujarat ceremony, Kartik Aaryan’s grin was bigger than the applause, as the open‑air stage in Kevadia bathed in July sun. He lifted the silver trophy, and the crowd erupted in cheers that felt more like a birthday bash than a formal award show.
The film, a biopic about India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, launched on June 14 and opened to mixed reviews. It struggled at the box office, pulling in a modest ₹88.73 crore worldwide, a stark contrast to the buzz that surrounded its release.
Yet the jury—led by acclaimed filmmaker Jayaraj—saw Kartik’s performance as a triumph. He was handed the Best Actor award, a nod to the depth he brought to the role of Murlikant Petkar.
After the ceremony, Kartik posted a candid Instagram story of himself with his parents, captioning it, "With my world for the biggest moment of my life." He also shared the moment with superstar Mammootty, who was present to accept his own award for Malayalam film Bramayugam.
With a National Award under his belt, Kartik is reportedly eyeing roles that push him beyond the typical Bollywood hero. Rumors swirl that his next project could be a gritty crime thriller, signaling a deliberate shift in his career trajectory.