In a cinematic era filled with remakes and reboots, “Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh” stands tall as a powerful spiritual sequel that doesn't just revisit history—it resurrects a soul-shattering moment with piercing courtroom drama and emotional gravitas. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and spearheaded by Akshay Kumar in one of his most intense performances to date, the film leaves an indelible mark, blending national sentiment with cinematic brilliance.
Inspired by the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu and Pushpa Palat, the movie charts the unwavering crusade of C. Sankaran Nair, a towering legal mind and member of the Viceroy’s Council, who dared to challenge the British Raj’s lies following the brutal Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. The massacre, a dark chapter in India’s colonial past, is revisited not through battlefields, but through the battleground of a British courtroom—a masterstroke in cinematic narrative.
A Compelling Courtroom Chronicle
What sets Kesari Chapter 2 apart from typical period dramas is its unique lens. This is not a tale of swords and blood, but of sharp intellect and moral courage. Akshay Kumar as Justice Nair is magnetic—his stoic resolve, layered anguish, and fiery monologues bring both the courtroom and the audience to the edge of their seats. The film never loses sight of its legal core, yet manages to evoke the visceral pain of the massacre through testimony, recollections, and powerful imagery.
R. Madhavan, portraying the fictional antagonist Neville McKinley, adds complexity to the courtroom duel. His portrayal of a cynical British-Indian lawyer hired to bury the truth provides the perfect foil to Nair's unwavering integrity. Ananya Panday, as the passionate law student Dilreet Gill, brings youthful zeal and emotional heft, while Krish Rao's role as revolutionary Pargat Singh brings the spirit of the resistance to life.
Truth as a Weapon
The courtroom scenes are brilliantly crafted—not just technically, but emotionally. The film doesn’t merely present a trial; it recreates an ideological battle where the oppressed take on the empire with nothing but truth. The dialogues are razor-sharp and deliver goosebumps. The justice system is portrayed not as a neutral space, but as a colonial fortress to be stormed—and Nair does just that.
Aesthetic, Music & Direction
Karan Singh Tyagi's direction is understated yet deeply effective. The cinematography captures both the haunting silence of Amritsar post-massacre and the claustrophobic intensity of British courts. Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth’s music, especially the soul-stirring “Parwardigara” and the revolutionary “O Shera – Teer Te Taj”, elevate the film's emotional texture. The background score swells exactly when it needs to, lending a sense of impending justice—or injustice.
Masaba Gupta's cameo in the song “Khumaari” provides a welcome tonal shift, without derailing the film’s emotional integrity. The dance is symbolic—a fleeting reminder of life amidst grief.
From Set to Soul: A Production Triumph
The painstakingly recreated sets—from a full-scale model of Jallianwala Bagh to courtroom interiors in Delhi and Alibag—lend authenticity and depth. It’s no exaggeration to say that the production design is world-class. Kudos to the team for not compromising historical accuracy while dramatizing key moments for cinematic impact.
Controversies and Realities
Not without its share of controversy, the film also faced backlash for allegedly plagiarizing a poem for a courtroom monologue. While the case is still under review, it doesn’t diminish the film’s impact. In fact, the moment in question remains one of the film’s most poignant highlights.
The Legacy Continues
With Kesari Chapter 3 already announced, focusing on Hari Singh Nalwa, the franchise appears poised to chronicle India’s lesser-known heroes with the dignity and cinematic elegance they deserve. If the emotional and historical rigor of Kesari Chapter 2 is any indicator, audiences are in for another rousing tribute to India’s freedom struggle.
Final Verdict on Movie Ka Ticket: 4.5/5
A courtroom drama that hits like a war film, Kesari Chapter 2 isn’t just a sequel—it’s a salute. It tells the story not of those who fought with weapons, but those who fought with their voice, their pen, and their relentless pursuit of justice. It’s a must-watch for history buffs, legal drama lovers, and every Indian who has ever felt the weight of the past in their bones.
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