Anyone who follows Kartik Aaryan knows about his love affair with food and sweets. The actor has never hidden his fondness for desserts and often shares his favourite indulgences with fans on social media. Which is why one of the most surprising stories to emerge from his Chandu Champion journey had nothing to do with boxing, swimming, or physical training—it was his decision to completely give up sugar for almost two year. For an actor known for his sweet tooth, the sacrifice became a powerful symbol of the commitment he brought to portraying India's first Paralympic Gold Medalist, Murlikant Petkar.
Preparing for Chandu Champion demanded a complete transformation, both physically and mentally. Under the guidance of director Kabir Khan and a team of fitness experts, Kartik immersed himself in months of intense athletic training that included boxing, swimming, endurance exercises, and sport-specific preparation. Kartik reduced his body fat parentage from 39% to just 7% for Chandu Champion. Alongside the gruelling workouts came an equally disciplined diet. Giving up sugar became a crucial part of the process as the actor worked towards achieving the lean physique and athletic conditioning required for the role. The transformation eventually saw him undergo one of the most talked-about fitness journeys by a Bollywood actor in recent years.
But the most memorable moment arrived when the journey finally came to an end. After months of shooting and more than a year of discipline, Kabir Khan surprised Kartik on set with his favourite dessert—Rasmalai. In a heartwarming video that quickly went viral, the director personally fed the actor his first bite of sugar after months of abstinence while the crew applauded the achievement. Sharing the clip, Kartik wrote, “This RasMalai Tasted Like Victory! Finally eating sugar after a year!!” The moment instantly struck a chord with fans, not because it was about a dessert, but because it represented the culmination of an extraordinary commitment.
Two years later, the rasmalai moment continues to be remembered as one of the most iconic behind-the-scenes memories from Chandu Champion. It served as a reminder that transformative performances are built on countless sacrifices that audiences rarely get to see. For Kartik Aaryan, that first bite of rasmalai was more than a reward—it was the celebration of a challenge conquered, a promise fulfilled, and a journey that ultimately delivered one of the most acclaimed performances of his career, earning him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
