Actor Kartik Aaryan had an emotional moment as he accepted his first Filmfare Best Actor Award, made even more special by the presence of his parents in the audience.

Clearly moved, the Dhamaka star took to Instagram to share a video from the night along with a heartfelt message. He wrote, “This hits different when you remember where you started that night… every emotion I'd ever felt found its voice. 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.”

In his acceptance speech, Kartik 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. Speaking about Chandu Champion, the film that earned him the honour, he praised director Kabir Khan and said the story of Murlikant Petkar — India’s first Paralympic gold medalist — deeply resonated with him.

“When others stopped believing in Murlikant, he didn’t give up. That felt very personal to me. It wasn’t just a film; it was the most meaningful journey of my career,” Kartik shared.

He credited Kabir Khan for his vision, saying, “You don’t just create films, you create worlds.” He also thanked producers Sajid Nadiadwala and Vardha Nadiadwala for their unwavering support during the making of the film, which brought Petkar’s story to the spotlight after nearly five decades. Kartik also noted the symbolic timing — shortly after the film's release, Petkar received the Lifetime Arjuna Award.

The actor became visibly emotional as he acknowledged his parents, who were present during the ceremony. “Growing up, I remember watching award shows on TV, dreaming of holding that trophy. And now, it’s happening in front of them,” he said.

Kartik also thanked Filmfare, his fans, and dedicated his award to dreamers everywhere: “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.”

Kartik Aaryan won the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his powerful performance in Chandu Champion, marking a major milestone in his career.

Source: NDTV