Kartik Aaryan had an emotional moment at the Filmfare Awards as he took home his first Best Actor trophy, with his parents watching proudly from the audience.

The win was for his performance in Chandu Champion, a film based on the life of India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, Murlikant Petkar.

Following the ceremony, Kartik took to Instagram to share a heartfelt video and message. “This hits different when you remember where you started that night… every emotion I`d ever felt found its voice,” he wrote. “From the small town boy who only dreamt of this stage, to the man living it — thank you, universe. I didn`t just speak that night, I felt every word. This speech wasn`t prepared. It was live.”

On stage, the Dhamaka actor expressed disbelief and deep gratitude. “There are moments in life where you wonder if it’s all real — and this is one of those nights,” he said.

Reflecting on Chandu Champion, Kartik described the film as the most meaningful project of his career. “When others stopped believing in Murlikant, he didn’t give up. That felt very personal to me,” he said, acknowledging how Petkar’s story resonated with his own journey.

He praised director Kabir Khan’s vision, saying, “You don’t just create films, you create worlds.” Kartik also thanked producers Sajid Nadiadwala and Vardha Nadiadwala for backing the story and helping bring Petkar’s legacy to the forefront—nearly 50 years after his achievement. He noted the symbolic timing, as Petkar was recently honoured with the Lifetime Arjuna Award.

Acknowledging his parents during the speech, Kartik said, “Growing up, I remember watching award shows on TV, dreaming of holding that trophy. And now, it’s happening in front of them.”

He ended with a powerful message to his supporters and aspiring dreamers: “My Godfathers are my fans… To everyone chasing a dream — even when you feel like giving up — remember, there’s a champion in you. A champion may fall, but never stops.”

The award marks a major milestone for Kartik Aaryan, further cementing his position among Bollywood’s leading actors.