Kartik took to Instagram where he shared a video of him meeting Petkar while filming a swimming sequence for the biopic, saying that the 79-year-old Paralympic athlete insisted on taking the stairs.
Kartik said that he was delighted when Petkar told him “Ekdum mere jaisa kar rahe ho”, adding that Petkar even shared anecdotes about the medals he was wearing.
In the caption, Kartik wrote, “I couldn't have imagined a non-swimmer like me swimming without the use of legs... Meet the real champion who inspired me to achieve the impossible @murlikantpetkar First of all, thank you for “Be you and be a living inspiration present among us, Lord.”
Kartik also said that at first he did not believe that the 'Chandu Champion' story could be true.
“It was important that everyone knew his story, so that everyone believed in themselves. When Kabir sir narrated 'Chandu Champion' for the first time, I didn't believe it could be a true story. 'Aapne ek zindagi mein, anek zindagiyan jo jee hain' (sic),” he wrote.
The 33-year-old star added that it was an “amazing experience” to work on Petkar's life.
“From not being able to believe your story to living your extraordinary life for almost two years, it has been an incredible experience and a great honor. My life has changed since you came into my life. I have never received as much love and appreciation for my work as I am receiving for Chandu Champion. “It’s overwhelming!!,” said the actor.
He added, "Really lucky to have had the opportunity to meet you and relive some incredible, magical and inspiring moments of your life. Actor banna safal ho gaya."
Murlikant Petkar won gold in the 50 m freestyle at the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany, with a time of 37.33 seconds.
Petkar, who served as a jawan in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army, suffered serious gunshot wounds during the 1965 war against Pakistan.
Kartik said that he was delighted when Petkar told him “Ekdum mere jaisa kar rahe ho”, adding that Petkar even shared anecdotes about the medals he was wearing.
In the caption, Kartik wrote, “I couldn't have imagined a non-swimmer like me swimming without the use of legs... Meet the real champion who inspired me to achieve the impossible @murlikantpetkar First of all, thank you for “Be you and be a living inspiration present among us, Lord.”
Kartik also said that at first he did not believe that the 'Chandu Champion' story could be true.
“It was important that everyone knew his story, so that everyone believed in themselves. When Kabir sir narrated 'Chandu Champion' for the first time, I didn't believe it could be a true story. 'Aapne ek zindagi mein, anek zindagiyan jo jee hain' (sic),” he wrote.
The 33-year-old star added that it was an “amazing experience” to work on Petkar's life.
“From not being able to believe your story to living your extraordinary life for almost two years, it has been an incredible experience and a great honor. My life has changed since you came into my life. I have never received as much love and appreciation for my work as I am receiving for Chandu Champion. “It’s overwhelming!!,” said the actor.
He added, "Really lucky to have had the opportunity to meet you and relive some incredible, magical and inspiring moments of your life. Actor banna safal ho gaya."
Murlikant Petkar won gold in the 50 m freestyle at the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany, with a time of 37.33 seconds.
Petkar, who served as a jawan in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army, suffered serious gunshot wounds during the 1965 war against Pakistan.
