Revisiting History Through a Courtroom Lens

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025) is a Hindi-language historical courtroom drama directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. The film stars Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair, a lawyer who challenged the British Empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Alongside him are R. Madhavan as Neville Mckinley and Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill. ​

Plot Overview

Set in the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the film follows C. Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British authorities. Nair’s pursuit of justice leads him into a courtroom confrontation with British officials, including the formidable Neville Mckinley. The narrative delves into themes of colonial oppression, legal resistance, and the quest for truth.​

Cast and Performances

• Akshay Kumar delivers a powerful performance as C. Sankaran Nair, capturing the character’s determination and moral conviction.
• R. Madhavan portrays Neville Mckinley with nuance, embodying the complexities of a colonial adversary.
• Ananya Panday takes on a challenging role as Dilreet Gill, showcasing a departure from her previous performances.
• Supporting roles by Regina Cassandra, Amit Sial, and Atul Kumar add depth to the narrative.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Director Karan Singh Tyagi crafts a courtroom drama that intertwines historical events with personal narratives. The screenplay, penned by Amritpal Bindra, Akshat Ghildial, and Sumit Saxena, balances legal intricacies with emotional depth. While the film takes creative liberties, it maintains a focus on the moral dilemmas faced by its characters.​

Critical Reception

Kesari Chapter 2 has received a mix of positive and critical reviews:​

• Bollywood Hungama rated it 3.5/5, praising its hard-hitting courtroom drama and performances.
• Firstpost awarded it 4/5, calling it “a powerful and immensely engaging movie based on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.”
• The Hindu criticized the film for distorting historical events, suggesting it “milks the sacrifice of martyrs in Jallianwala Bagh to create a trumped-up narrative.”
• Rediff.com noted that while the film is entertaining, it should be viewed as a work of fiction rather than a historical account.

Final Verdict

Kesari Chapter 2 offers a compelling courtroom drama anchored by strong performances, particularly from Akshay Kumar. While it takes creative liberties with historical events, the film succeeds in engaging the audience with its narrative and emotional depth.​

Rating: 4/5

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