Release Date: April 18, 2025 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Genre: Historical, Drama, Courtroom
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, is a powerful historical courtroom drama that revisits the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre through the lens of C. Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British Empire. Starring Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, this spiritual sequel to Kesari (2019) blends historical weight with cinematic flair, delivering a patriotic yet flawed tribute to an unsung hero. Here’s our in-depth review of this emotionally charged film!
Plot Overview
Based on The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film follows C. Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), a distinguished Indian barrister initially loyal to the British Crown. Tasked with investigating the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair expects to produce a report favoring the British. However, the horrific truth of General Reginald Dyer’s ordered slaughter of unarmed civilians in Amritsar shakes his conscience. Fueled by encounters with a young survivor, Pargat Singh (Krish Rao), and a spirited law student, Dilreet Gill (Ananya Panday), Nair sues the Crown and Dyer for genocide, facing off against the cunning British lawyer Neville McKinley (R. Madhavan). The narrative unfolds as a gripping courtroom drama, exposing the British Empire’s corruption and disdain for Indians while igniting patriotic fervor.
Performances
Akshay Kumar delivers a commanding performance as C. Sankaran Nair, particularly in the climactic courtroom scenes, where his fiery dialogues and emotional depth shine. However, his casting as a 62-year-old Malayali lawyer feels slightly mismatched due to his signature heroic energy. R. Madhavan is exceptional as Neville McKinley, bringing nuance and intensity to the antagonistic role, making every courtroom exchange electrifying. Ananya Panday surprises as Dilreet Gill, holding her own in key scenes, though her emotional moments could use more depth. Krish Rao leaves a mark as the young Pargat Singh, adding heart to the narrative. Supporting actors like Regina Cassandra and Amit Sial are underutilized, with their roles feeling sketchy.
Direction and Screenplay
Karan Singh Tyagi’s directorial debut is ambitious, blending historical events with a fast-paced courtroom drama. The screenplay, co-written with Amritpal Singh Bindra, is engaging, with powerful dialogues that resonate, especially Nair’s bold use of the F-word in court, which has sparked buzz. However, the film takes creative liberties, sometimes prioritizing drama over historical accuracy, as noted by critics who point out its disclaimer as a “work of pure fiction.” The Rowlatt Act and Hindu-Muslim unity get cursory mentions, and the lack of backstory about the massacre’s context may leave viewers wanting more. Despite these flaws, the pacing remains crisp, avoiding the second-half slump common in Bollywood dramas.
Technical Aspects
Debojeet Ray’s cinematography vividly captures the massacre’s horror and the courtroom’s tension, though some scenes feel overly stylized. Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth’s music is a mixed bag; the background score amplifies emotional beats, but songs like “Khumaari” feel out of place. Nitin Baid’s editing keeps the 134-minute runtime tight, though the loud score occasionally overshadows the narrative’s groundedness. The film’s production values, backed by Dharma Productions, are top-notch, with detailed sets of Jallianwala Bagh and colonial India.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan’s stellar performances and gripping courtroom face-offs.
- Powerful dialogues and a stirring climax that evoke patriotism.
- Well-executed portrayal of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre’s emotional weight.
- Crisp pacing and engaging narrative for a historical drama.
Weaknesses:
- Historical inaccuracies and excessive creative liberties dilute authenticity.
- Underdeveloped supporting characters and limited historical context.
- Akshay Kumar’s miscasting slightly undermines Nair’s seasoned persona.
- Overreliance on commercial elements like loud music and dramatic flourishes.
Audience and Critical Reception
Kesari Chapter 2 has garnered mixed reviews, with a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 critics. Bollywood Hungama and Times of India rated it 3.5/5, praising its gripping drama and performances, while The Hindu and Mint criticized its historical distortions. Fans on X have lauded Akshay’s “goosebump-inducing” performance and the film’s emotional impact, though some noted empty theaters, reflecting a disconnect with mass audiences. The film earned ₹6.2 crore in India by day 4, with strong word-of-mouth in urban multiplexes but limited appeal in single-screen cinemas due to its ‘A’ rating
.Verdict
Kesari Chapter 2 is a compelling courtroom drama that stirs patriotic pride and sheds light on C. Sankaran Nair’s courageous fight, even if it stumbles with historical inaccuracies. Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan elevate the film with powerhouse performances, making it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and Bollywood’s patriotic fare. While not as nuanced as Sardar Udham (2021), its emotional depth and engaging narrative make it a worthy addition to the Kesari franchise. Catch it in theaters for its hard-hitting climax and stay tuned to FilmyDeva for more reviews and updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kesari Chapter 2 about?
The film follows lawyer C. Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British Empire to expose the truth behind the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Is Kesari Chapter 2 historically accurate?
While inspired by real events and based on The Case That Shook The Empire, the film takes creative liberties, labeling itself a “work of pure fiction.”
Where can I watch Kesari Chapter 2?
It’s currently in theaters, with streaming rights acquired by JioHotstar for a future release.
