MUMBAI: Nitin Bhajan, who was seen as Kartik Aryan’s on-screen father, Rajaram Petkar, in Chandu Champion, is grateful to have played a character in the hit movie. He said it was an incredible and memorable experience.
Talking about his experience, he said, “Every struggling actor dreams of landing a project that reaches a wide audience. These opportunities are vital for transforming your struggle into commercial success, helping you gain recognition in the industry.”
“They boost your value, build confidence, and bring happiness to your family by achieving financial stability and elevated status. Such projects make you feel good and can make your journey a bit easier, opening doors to more good work,” he added.
Praising the lead, Kartik, he further said that he brings an incredibly energetic persona. “In Chandu Champion, he trained himself in three different sports, portraying the struggles of starting from zero and reaching the top in each one. His character's transformation and journey are beautifully depicted. It's no easy feat to convincingly excel in three different sports on screen, but Kartik's make-believe magic and dedication make it believable and dynamic,” he said.
“His passion brought the father-son relationship to life so well, and I learned so much from him. Witnessing his hard work and talent is inspiring and motivating. His disciplined approach to his craft is truly impressive. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to play his father and work alongside him,” he added.
Nitin also revealed that their off-screen chemistry was great too. “We would discuss the scenes before starting, exploring how a Maharashtrian father interacts with his family. Kartik would ask me about Marathi words and sentence formation. Though we had a language coach, the interaction between co-actors helped us bond and refine our performances.”
“Kartik excels at communicating with his fellow actors beyond just the lines of the scene. He also spoke with villagers and school students about their language, life, studies, and how to say certain things in Marathi. His curiosity and dedication are impressive,” he added.
Nitin also stressed that despite his lover boy image and roles in big films, Kartik remains a grounded and wonderful person. “Before meeting him, I wondered how I would interact with such a big star, but he turned out to be so down-to-earth and always had a happy smile. During the childhood scenes where he played a schoolboy, it didn't even feel like I was talking to a star,” he said.
“We spent time together between takes, discussing scenes, exchanging ideas, and sharing personal stories about my NSD training and its benefits. This communication built a genuine bond that translated into our on-screen performance. There were light moments, too, when Kartik would play with the village kids and crack jokes in Marathi, creating an enjoyable working atmosphere on set. His sense of humor and positive attitude made the experience even better,” he added.
The duo shared quite a few scenes on-screen, and Nitin revealed that while there weren't many retakes, when it came to making the dialogues more believable, convincing, and powerful, retakes sometimes happened for the better. “Kabir Khan, sir, would often say, ‘We have both options, so let’s see.’ Retakes were more frequent during long shots in the village setup with a large crowd. However, for indoor scenes with a disciplined and quiet environment, retakes were rare. One scene involved me bringing a young Kartik on a bicycle, and we had to stop at a precise point. If the cycle didn't stop at the right spot, it wasn't okay for the camera, leading to retakes,” he said.
“Sometimes, rain would pour, and we didn't want the sound of rain in the scene, causing retakes. Other times, issues with sound, lighting, or framing necessitated retakes. Throughout it all, Kartik and the rest of us stayed cool, performing again with positivity and the same energy,” he added.
So what kind of roles are you looking for now? “Getting trained at NSD is a dream for many, where you grow gradually and learn all the theories and practices of acting. After undergoing intense training at NSD, I have always felt the need to take on roles that push my boundaries as an actor and turn my weaknesses into strengths. I aim to play roles that differ from my previous ones, exploring characters that are psychologically more complex and demanding. Playing relationships on screen is not just about playing a character; it's only a small part of the acting process. To truly delve into the fundamentals of acting, one must take on demanding characters. Immersing yourself in the depths of a character's psyche allows you to grow as an artist, rather than just portraying characters based on relationships,” he said.
“In Chandu Champion, playing the father involved a certain psychological complexity and realization about his own son, which I found compelling. However, exploring different psychologies is equally important, as it allows you to bring something unique to the screen. This character provided me with a valuable experience and a transformative journey, which matters to me. I aspire to continue taking on roles that allow me to explore my range as an actor. No matter how big a film you make, there’s no guarantee you’ll continue to get good work. There are no set rules for landing roles, and the industry is highly unpredictable. Sometimes, you end up being cast in similar roles repeatedly, making it challenging to break out and show your range. Timing plays a crucial role—if the timing is right, you might be approached for a great role. Some people work in world-class cinema without getting the recognition they deserve. For instance, Masaan wasn't a hit film, but it showcased Vicky Kaushal's talent, thanks to its great story and direction. You need directors and films that utilize your talent to get noticed by the public and move towards stardom. You never know what kinds of roles are being written for you or how many others have been approached for the same part, so understanding the competition is essential. Additionally, your popularity on social media is also taken into consideration when casting decisions,” Nitin concluded.
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