Starring : Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday, Regina Cassandra.
Director : Karan Singh Tyagi
Producers : Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra & Anand Tiwari
Music Directors : Shashwat Sachdev, Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth
Cinematographer : Debojeet Ray
Release Date : April 18, 2025
The April 1919 massacre at Jallianwala Bagh remains a painful memory more than a century later. There has been no debate about the events of that dreadful day when General Reginald Dyer commanded his soldiers to fire upon countless unarmed civilians, including many women and children, without any warning.
Plot
The protesters in Amritsar, who had gathered to oppose the Rowlatt Act, were unaware that a spotter plane had been sent to monitor their numbers: shortly thereafter, it flew overhead, and shoot-to-kill orders were given, resulting in the ground being strewn with the bodies of the deceased and wounded.
‘Kesari 2’, the sequel to the 2019 film ‘Kesari’, lacks any thematic connection to its predecessor; rather, it similarly highlights a resistance against British rule, igniting a sense of national pride.
During this era when the fight for independence was gaining momentum, Dyer’s heinous act put the British Crown on the defensive. Enter the ‘best Indian barrister’, the newly knighted Sir C Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), ready to defend Dyer. Faced with overwhelming evidence and a crisis of conscience, the man skilled in ‘kalaripayattu as well as law’ undergoes a transformation, leading to a fierce battle against the architect of the massacre and the power of the Empire.
‘Kesari 2’ draws inspiration from the book ‘The Case That Shook The Empire’ by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat.
Performance
Akshay Kumar portrays Sir C sankaran nair in a manner similar to his recent characters.
Ananya Panday plays the female attorney Dilreet Gill, who puts in considerable effort to appear convincing, but her dialogue delivery and body language remain noticeably modern.
R Madhavan stands out as Neville McKiney, who is half-Indian and half-British, known for being a strong opponent of Nair.
Both Akshay and Madhavan face off with powerful dialogues in the courtroom drama.
In the latter half, there are lines laced with populism as Akshay’s Sir C Sankaran Nair boldly uses the F word in reference to the British rulers, exclaiming in frustration.
Summary
Kesari Chapter 2 captivates its audience through a compelling narrative that skillfully intertwines historical events with a robust courtroom drama. The director’s presentation of historical facts is commendable. Akshay Kumar and Madhavan deliver dynamic performances that bring their characters to life. Although some pivotal scenes may appear sluggish, the story’s depth and intensity maintain the audience’s interest. Enthusiasts of historical and courtroom dramas are likely to appreciate this film.
Rating – 4/5
A Film Review by Dharmit Shah
