Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh opened on April 18, 2025, to bring to life a riveting courtroom fight based on one of India’s most somber periods in history. Akshay Kumar plays C. Sankaran Nair, a gallant barrister who challenged the British Empire in the wake of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, this historical drama departs from the battlefield action of the original Kesari and steps into the emotionally charged setting of British-era courtrooms. It highlights the silent yet powerful resistance fought through the legal system—a narrative rarely explored in mainstream cinema.
Akshay Kumar is ably supported by R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley, a keen and merciless British attorney, and Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill, an ardent young Indian lawyer standing resolutely alongside Nair in his struggle for justice. They add nuance to a tale that’s half conscience, half courage.
The movie is based on real events and is heavily influenced by the award-winning book The Case That Shook the Empire. It gives a moving picture of the post-massacre times when the British Raj was seldom held accountable, thanks to the likes of Nair who did not hesitate to speak truth to power.
Before its release, a special premiere was organized in Delhi and viewed by political figures and dignitaries. The film has earned early acclaim for its patriotic direction, crisp dialogue, and emotionally charged narrative. Akshay Kumar’s acting, especially, has been hailed as one of his strongest and subdued in the past few years.
With over 50,000 advance tickets sold and an estimated ₹3 crore collected even prior to the formal release, Kesari Chapter 2 is doing well at the box office. It’s likely to expand with word-of-mouth and its value as an educational piece among the younger crowds.
A film more than anything else, Kesari Chapter 2 is a tribute to the unsung heroes of India’s fight for independence—those who struggled not with swords or guns, but with integrity, intellect, and the law.
