Kartik Aaryan to Lead Kabir Khan’s Next Sports Drama, Inspired by Kickboxing Champion Tajamul Islam 

Filmmaker Kabir Khan is set to return to the sports drama genre with his next ambitious project, once again collaborating with Kartik Aaryan after Chandu Champion (2024). The yet-untitled film draws inspiration from the remarkable journey of Kashmiri kickboxing prodigy Tajamul Islam.

Kabir Khan has already commenced shooting for the film in Mumbai, with the first schedule going on floors on March 16 at a restaurant in Parel. The opening scenes were shot with a crowd of nearly 70 junior artistes, with the location being transformed to reflect a grounded, middle-class setting that aligns with the film’s narrative tone.

While the makers have kept key character details under wraps, reports suggest that Kartik Aaryan will not be playing the titular athlete, but instead essay the role of her coach. The actor is expected to join the shoot later this week and has reportedly been undergoing kickboxing training to prepare for his role.

According to a source quoted by Mid-Day, “The initial schedule focuses on establishing the world and emotional core of the story. Kartik will join the unit by the weekend and has been actively training for the part.”

The Mumbai schedule is expected to continue for approximately two weeks, following which the team will head to Kashmir for a significant portion of the shoot. Given that the story is inspired by Tajamul Islam, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, the Valley will play a crucial role in the film’s narrative. The director and his team had previously conducted an extensive recce in Kashmir earlier this year to finalize locations.

Who is Tajamul Islam?

Tajamul Islam is India’s first and youngest two-time world kickboxing champion.

At just seven years old, she won gold in the Under-8 category at the World Kickboxing Championship in 2016.

She repeated her achievement in 2021 by winning gold in the Under-14 category.

Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Tajamul has also been vocal about the lack of sports infrastructure in the region.

In 2019, she took a significant step by launching her own training academy in Bandipora to support and train young athletes.

With a powerful real-life story at its core and Kabir Khan’s track record in the genre, the film is shaping up to be an inspiring sports drama. The collaboration with Kartik Aaryan once again adds to the anticipation, especially after the success of their previous outing.