Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025) Movie ft. Akshay and Karan

Kesari Chapter 2 is a 2025 Hindi historical courtroom drama directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. The film stars Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday in lead roles. Released on April 18, 2025, this spiritual sequel to Kesari (2019) takes audiences into the dark aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Plot and Storyline

The story follows C. Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), a distinguished Indian barrister and member of the Viceroy’s Council. Initially tasked by the British to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair discovers the horrifying truth. The film recreates the peaceful protest at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, where General Dyer ordered troops to fire on unarmed protesters.

The courtroom sequences form the film’s backbone. Nair fights a legal battle against General Dyer while British advocate Neville McKinley (R. Madhavan) defends the massacre. Young advocate Dilreet Gill (Ananya Panday) assists Nair in this David vs. Goliath legal fight.

I found the storytelling approach refreshing. Instead of typical war sequences, the film uses courtroom drama to explore colonial brutality. The 134-minute runtime maintains tension throughout, making historical events feel immediate and personal.

Cast Performance

Akshay Kumar delivers what might be his finest performance in recent years. He sheds his typical action-hero image to portray a determined lawyer fighting for justice. His emotional scenes particularly stand out, showing remarkable acting depth without his usual comedic timing.

R. Madhavan surprises as the antagonistic British advocate. His performance brings complexity to what could have been a simple villain role. I appreciated how he made McKinley feel human rather than cartoonish, adding genuine conflict to courtroom scenes.

Ananya Panday shows significant growth as an actress. Her portrayal of Dilreet Gill moves beyond her previous romantic roles. She handles the serious dramatic material with conviction, proving her ability to tackle meaningful cinema.

The supporting cast, including Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer, provides solid performances that enhance the overall narrative impact.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Karan Singh Tyagi makes an impressive directorial debut handling sensitive historical material. His approach balances historical accuracy with cinematic drama effectively. The director shows remarkable maturity in presenting such tragic events without sensationalizing them.

The cinematography by Debojeet Ray captures the colonial period authentically. The production team constructed elaborate sets including a recreation of Jallianwala Bagh in Mumbai. These visual details help transport viewers to 1919 India.

I particularly admired the editing choices that maintained steady pacing throughout lengthy courtroom sequences. The technical team ensures legal arguments never feel tedious or overwhelming.

Music and Sound Design

The music composition by Shashwat Sachdev complements the film’s serious tone perfectly. The standout track O Shera , Teer Te Taj connects emotionally with the narrative. This song is actually a new version of a track from the 2020-2021 farmers’ protests.

The background score enhances emotional moments without overwhelming the performances. Sound design particularly shines during courtroom scenes where every word carries dramatic weight.

Critical Reception and Ratings

The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of critics gave positive reviews. However, Bollywood trade publications were more generous.

Bollywood Hungama rated it 3.5/5, praising it as a hard-hitting courtroom drama that works due to performances and treatment. India Today gave 3.5/5, noting the film doesn’t rely solely on chest-thumping patriotism. Firstpost rated it 4/5, calling it powerful and immensely engaging.

Public response has been overwhelmingly positive. IMDb users rated it 8.2, indicating strong audience appreciation. Many viewers praised the film’s educational value and emotional impact.

Box Office Performance

Despite an adult-only certification, Kesari Chapter 2 performed well commercially. The film opened with ₹7.75 crore and collected ₹92.5 crore during its 50-day theatrical run. Made on a budget of ₹150 crore, the film was released on 5,500 screens across India.

The word-of-mouth publicity helped sustain collections. Business performed better in cities and multiplexes compared to smaller centers. The adult rating limited reach but found its target audience among mature viewers.

What I Liked

Powerful Performances – The entire cast delivers compelling portrayals that bring historical characters to life with authenticity. Akshay Kumar’s restrained performance particularly impressed me.

Historical Accuracy – The film respects historical facts while creating an engaging narrative structure. It educates audiences about this crucial period without compromising entertainment value.

Courtroom Drama Excellence – The legal proceedings feel authentic and engaging. I appreciated how the film made complex legal arguments accessible to general audiences.

Educational Value – This isn’t just entertainment but an important lesson about India’s freedom struggle. The film successfully brings forgotten heroes into mainstream consciousness.

Areas for Improvement

Pacing Issues – Some courtroom sequences could have been tightened. Certain legal arguments felt repetitive and could have been streamlined for better flow.

Commercial Elements – The background score occasionally becomes too loud, detracting from the film’s grounded approach. Some dramatic moments felt forced rather than organic.

Limited Accessibility – The adult certification, while justified, prevented younger audiences from learning these important historical lessons.

OTT Release and Future Plans

JioHotstar acquired digital streaming rights. The film began streaming on June 13, 2025, making it accessible to wider audiences. This digital release is expected to extend the film’s cultural impact significantly.

Kesari Chapter 3 has already been announced, focusing on Hari Singh Nalwa, the first commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj. This suggests filmmakers are committed to creating a historical trilogy exploring different aspects of Indian heroism.

Final Verdict

Kesari Chapter 2 succeeds in bringing an important but lesser-known chapter of Indian history to mainstream cinema. The film works best as a historical drama that educates while entertaining.

While it may not revolutionize the courtroom drama genre, it stands as a respectful tribute to C. Sankaran Nair’s courage and the victims of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. I recommend this film for anyone interested in India’s freedom struggle or quality historical cinema.

This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a powerful reminder of values we should never forget. The film enlightens and elevates while providing engaging courtroom drama.

Final Rating: 3.5/5

The film earns this rating for strong performances, historical significance, and emotional impact, despite minor pacing issues. It stands as a worthy addition to historical Indian cinema and a fitting tribute to real-life heroes who fought for justice.