Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025): A Riveting, Flawed Ode to a Historic Fight
Released on April 18, 2025, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is a Hindi-language historical courtroom drama that shifts the Kesari franchise from battlefield heroics to legal confrontation. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced by Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective, this spiritual sequel to 2019’s Kesari stars Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair, a lawyer who dares to challenge the British Empire over the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. With R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday, and a strong supporting cast, the film, based on The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, aims to illuminate a lesser-known legal battle. Despite powerful performances and gripping moments, its historical liberties and uneven execution make it a compelling yet imperfect tribute. This 800-word review explores its strengths, flaws, and impact.
A Legal Battle Against Empire
Set in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where General Reginald Dyer ordered the slaughter of over 1,000 unarmed Indian civilians in Amritsar, Kesari Chapter 2 follows C. Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), a knighted barrister and member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Initially loyal to the British, Nair is tasked with investigating the massacre, expected to deliver a report favoring the Crown. As he uncovers the horrific truth—Dyer’s deliberate brutality and the Empire’s cover-up—his conscience awakens. Defying his superiors, Nair sues the Crown and Dyer for genocide, aided by young lawyer Dilreet Gill (Ananya Panday) and opposed by the cunning British advocate Neville McKinley (R. Madhavan), a fictional composite of historical figures. The film weaves a tense courtroom drama with flashbacks to the massacre, spotlighting survivors like young Pargat Singh (Krish Rao), who fuels Nair’s resolve.
Unlike the action-packed Kesari, this installment focuses on legal and moral battles, blending historical drama with patriotic fervor. Critics praise its “gripping narrative” and “emotional depth,” but its disclaimer as a “pure work of fiction” has sparked debate for altering historical facts, such as exaggerating Nair’s role and framing a libel case as a genocide trial.
Stellar Performances Amid Historical Debate
Akshay Kumar delivers a “stupendous” performance as Nair, balancing vulnerability and intensity. His commanding courtroom scenes, especially the climactic trial where he unleashes raw emotion (and a rare use of the F-word), are highlights, though some note his portrayal lacks Malayali authenticity, making him feel like an extension of his action-hero roles. R. Madhavan shines as Neville McKinley, his “shrewd, intense” performance matching Kumar’s, with their verbal sparring described as “electrifying.” Ananya Panday surprises as Dilreet, evolving from a nervous novice to a fiery advocate, particularly in a cross-examination scene. Supporting players, like Simon Paisley Day as the chilling Dyer and Krish Rao as the heart-wrenching Pargat, add depth, while Regina Cassandra’s restrained role as Nair’s wife Parvathi feels underutilized.
Cinematic Craft and Narrative Flaws
Karan Singh Tyagi’s direction is “uncomplicated” yet impactful, with Debojeet Ray’s cinematography capturing the massacre’s horror and the courtroom’s tension through “breathtaking” visuals. Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth’s score, including the soulful “Khumaari,” amplifies the emotional weight, though some musical choices, like a “generic sad song” post-massacre, feel jarring. Nitin Baid’s editing keeps the 135-minute runtime tight, avoiding the “second-half curse” common in Bollywood. Sumit Saxena’s dialogues are “arresting,” with patriotic lines sparking applause, though some feel overly populist.
However, the film’s historical inaccuracies draw criticism. It glosses over Nair’s broader role in the Indian National Congress and exaggerates his legal battle, turning a defamation case into a sensationalized genocide trial. Critics argue it “milks the sacrifice of martyrs” for drama, confusing younger audiences about historical facts like the Rowlatt Act. The narrative’s back-and-forth structure and slow second-half pacing also hinder momentum, while the ‘A’ rating limits its reach, with some suggesting a U/A rating would have suited its patriotic appeal.
Reception and Cultural Impact
Kesari Chapter 2 has polarized critics, earning a 50% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 3.25–3.5/5 average rating. Bollywood Hungama lauds its “hard-hitting” storytelling, while The Hindu calls it a “lopsided period piece” that distorts history. Social media posts reflect strong audience sentiment, with fans calling it “spectacular” and “must-watch,” though some label it “deceptive” for its ahistorical flourishes. Celebrities like Vicky Kaushal and Urmila Matondkar praised its “absolute magic,” and political figures, including PM Narendra Modi, lauded its tribute to Nair.
Box office-wise, the film opened with ₹3 crore in advance bookings, peaking at ₹8.14 crore on Sunday, and crossed ₹70 crore domestically by day 12, entering the 100-crore global club. Its JioHotstar streaming deal ensures wider reach post-theatrical run.
Should You Watch It?
Kesari Chapter 2 is a gripping, emotionally charged courtroom drama that shines through its performances and historical ambition, despite stumbling with inaccuracies and a formulaic template. Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan’s face-offs, paired with Ananya Panday’s breakout role, make it a visual and emotional spectacle. Fans of patriotic dramas and courtroom thrillers will find it engaging, but those seeking historical fidelity may be disappointed. Its blend of style and substance makes it a worthwhile theater watch for its goosebump-inducing moments, like the “Teri Mitti” score and Nair’s fiery climax. Stay for the patriotic fervor, but approach its history with a critical eye.
Rating: 3.5/5
