Review: Kesari Chapter 2 - Gripping and Effective

 

 

Movie: Kesari Chapter 2
Rating: 3.25/5

Cast: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, Ananya Pandey, Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, Alex O'Nell, Steven Hartley, Moumita Palm and Others

Director: Karan Singh Tyagi

Produced By: Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, Cape of Good Films

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Story:

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, draws inspiration from the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. It acts as a spiritual continuation of Kesari (2019), which also starred Akshay Kumar in the lead role.

Performances:

Akshay Kumar gives a convincing performance as Sankaran Nair, except for a few scenes where his acting is similar to Jolly LLB 2. R. Madhavan is terrific as the lawyer who fights for the British. Ananya Panday, Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, Alexx O’Nell, Steven Hartley, and Moumita Palm are apt.

What worked for the film:

The opening 10 minutes of the film depict the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, undeniably one of the most tragic events in Indian history. This segment primarily follows the perspective of a young Sikh boy who chooses to become a living 'newspaper,' serving as a constant reminder of the tragedy. In the latter part, most of the court scenes work, where Akshay Kumar and Madhavan have a clash as they appear for two different sides. Especially the scenes that talk about 'freedom of speech,' and there are moments when the media is portrayed as a powerful force due to its desire to reveal the truth.

The reference to a display of Hindu-Muslim unity posing a challenge to the British Raj, particularly against their strategy of 'divide and rule,' is notably insightful. Though a bit over the top, the climax speech of Sankaran Nair, played by Akshay Kumar, works well for the film.

What did not work for the film:

The problem with Kesari Chapter 2 is its difficulty in balancing the story's authenticity with the expectations of a typical Bollywood commercial film. Some real-life events and characters have been altered for cinematic effect, which may not resonate with all viewers. The tone of the film often tends to be a bit over the top to evoke emotional effect, and the music also could have been more subtle.

Kesari Chapter 2 Review and Verdict:

Karan Singh Tyagi's Kesari Chapter 2 is a sincere patriotic drama inspired by true events. Strong performances and captivating court scenes elevate the film's second half, resulting in a satisfying climax. Though it has its dull moments, it's worth watching.