Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar returns to the silver screen with a powerful patriotic drama, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh. The film hit theatres worldwide on April 18, 2025, and opened to strong numbers at the box office. However, while Kesari 2 strikes an emotional chord with the audience, it raises eyebrows for its historical inaccuracy and fictionalized courtroom drama.
A Courtroom Drama with Patriotic Fervor
Kesari 2 shows a made-up court case that takes place after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It follows C. Sankaran Nair, played by Akshay Kumar, a prominent lawyer who stood up against the British Raj to reveal the truth about the massacre. The plot imagines a courtroom trial seeking justice for the massacre’s victims, although no such trial took place in reality.
Kesari Chapter 2 mixes real history with creative fiction, portraying figures like General Reginald Dyer and Michael O’Dwyer, but blurring their roles and timelines. In real life, Dyer ordered the massacre, while O’Dwyer, Punjab’s Lieutenant Governor, was later assassinated in London in 1940. The film inaccurately merges their roles into a single fictional legal confrontation.
Meet the Cast: Powerful Performances in a Fictional Frame
In Kesari 2, Akshay Kumar plays C. Sankaran Nair with strong emotions, showing a man who bravely stands up to the British using the law.
- Madhavan plays Advocate Neville McKinley, a British barrister torn between legal duty and morality. His layered performance adds complexity to the courtroom dynamics.
Ananya Panday steps into a new role as Dilreet Gill, a young legal assistant and activist who supports Nair in his battle for justice.
Together, the cast delivers solid performances. Yet, the characters—especially historical ones—are depicted in ways that stray significantly from historical truth.
Kesari 2 Box Office Collection: A Strong Debut
Despite controversy, Kesari Chapter 2 opened strong at the box office. On its release day, April 18, 2025, it grossed ₹15 crore worldwide, outperforming competing films like Jaat. The combination of Akshay Kumar’s star power and patriotic storytelling helped drive early ticket sales.
Trade analysts expect the film to surpass ₹50 crore by the weekend, especially with buzz generated from discussions around its take on the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy.
Bringing Kesari Chapter 2 to Life: The Team Behind the Scenes
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is the directorial debut of Karan Singh Tyagi, who blends courtroom drama with a significant historical event. The film brings together powerful performances and intense storytelling. Produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, this collaboration has created a gripping narrative about justice and resistance. With a talented team backing it, the film strives to honor the legacy of India’s fight against colonial oppression.
Historical Inaccuracy Sparks Debate
A major criticism of Kesari 2 is its distortion of historical events. The film imagines a fictional trial that never took place, showing C. Sankaran Nair challenged General Dyer and O’Dwyer in court. While Nair did strongly oppose British policies and resigned in protest after the massacre, he was never part of a legal case involving the two British officials.
The script also muddles timelines—merging O’Dwyer and Dyer into a courtroom drama that completely bypasses actual historical context. Experts argue that such portrayals mislead audiences, especially younger viewers who might assume these events are factually accurate.
Audience Reaction and Reviews: Split Opinions
Reactions from both the public and critics to Kesari Chapter 2 have been divided. Some viewers praise the powerful performances and courtroom sequences, while others find fault with the creative liberties.
Critic Rajeev Masand noted, “Kesari 2 grips you with emotion but slips on historical accuracy. Akshay is outstanding, but history lovers may be disappointed.” He gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars.
On IMDb, the film holds a 6.3/10 rating, while social media is filled with polarized reviews. Some praise the film’s patriotic tone, while others call for more responsible storytelling when dealing with sensitive history.
Should You Watch Kesari 2?
Kesari 2 is a dramatic, emotionally charged film that succeeds as entertainment, even if it falters as a historical document. If you enjoy courtroom dramas and patriotic themes, it will hold your attention. But if you’re looking for historical accuracy, you may leave the theatre with more questions than answers.
The film’s message of resistance and justice resonates, but it also demonstrates the fine line between creative freedom and misrepresentation.
Final Verdict
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is a bold film that explores a tragic chapter of Indian history with a fictional twist. The performances by Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday are commendable, and the courtroom sequences are intense.
However, the way it changes real facts and adds made-up parts has been criticized by historians and history lovers. It does make people feel emotional, but it doesn’t show the full truth of what really happened
Nonetheless, Kesari 2 continues the trend of patriotic cinema in Bollywood, and its box office success shows that the audience remains engaged with stories from India’s past—even if they are not entirely accurate.
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