National Film Award-winning Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan moved audiences at the special Mumbai premiere of the American biographical drama I Play Rocky, delivering a deeply personal speech on self-belief, outsider resilience, and the 44-year-old anthem he turns to whenever life feels overwhelming. Directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly and starring Anthony Ippolito as a young, struggling Sylvester Stallone, I Play Rocky chronicles the behind-the-scenes battle to bring the 1976 Oscar-winning boxing classic Rocky to the big screen. Having portrayed Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion—and having carved his own path in Hindi cinema without film-family backing—Kartik resonated strongly with Stallone’s underdog journey. Addressing guests and media at the Mumbai multiplex screening ahead of the film’s Indian theatrical rollout, Kartik revealed that whenever he feels low or discouraged, he puts on Survivor’s iconic 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger"—a 44-year-old track that acts as his personal theme song and immediately pulls him back toward his goals. His candid remarks, along with an enthusiastic heads-up about a "very cute" post-credits surprise, quickly struck a chord with moviegoers across Mumbai, New Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Gwalior, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata.

Why Kartik Aaryan Connected Deeply With 'I Play Rocky'

Speaking from the stage at the premiere, Kartik Aaryan reflected on how I Play Rocky captures the universal struggle of dreamers who refuse to accept rejection. In the film, an unknown and nearly broke Sylvester Stallone writes the screenplay for Rocky and stubbornly refuses lucrative studio offers to sell the script unless he is allowed to play the lead role himself.

Drawing parallels between Stallone’s conviction and his own journey from Gwalior to Bollywood stardom, Kartik told the gathering: "This film is about all those dreamers and everyone who believes in their dream. So many people are often told, 'Yeh nahin ho sakta' (it cannot happen) or 'Yeh tu kabhi nahin ban sakta' (you can never become this). I truly believe this film will make you believe that you can do it and achieve your dreams, no matter what." Later sharing his reaction on Instagram Stories as well, the actor noted that Stallone’s story of creating his own destiny and never giving up left him visibly emotional at several points during the screening.

The 44-Year-Old Song Kartik Aaryan Listens to When He Feels Low

During his speech, Kartik also opened up about how the original Rocky franchise and its electrifying soundtrack have served as an anchor during difficult phases of his career. Specifically, he named "Eye of the Tiger"—the chart-topping 1982 rock anthem recorded by American band Survivor for Rocky III—as the track he turns to whenever self-doubt creeps in.

Explaining the song’s instant impact on his mindset, Kartik shared: "Whenever I feel down or low in my journey, 'Eye of the Tiger' works like a theme song for me and inspires me immensely. The moment I listen to it, I put my blinkers on, shut out every distraction, and start working hard toward my dreams all over again."

Kartik Urges Fans Not to Miss the Post-Credits Surprise

Before wrapping up his remarks, Kartik Aaryan—who noted that he had already watched I Play Rocky once and plans to watch it again in theatres—offered an emphatic recommendation to cinephiles. He urged viewers to stay seated until the final frame rolls, calling the film’s post-credits scene a "very cute" moment and the "biggest surprise" of the movie. Although guests at the Mumbai event had to endure an unexpected two-hour delay before the screening began around 8:00 PM, Kartik’s heartfelt tribute to dreamers—and his endorsement of Anthony Ippolito’s breakout portrayal of Stallone—left audiences buzzing as I Play Rocky arrived in Indian cinemas.