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 Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025) Review

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and released on April 18, 2025, is a Hindi-language historical courtroom drama that serves as a spiritual sequel to the 2019 film Kesari. Starring Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair, R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley, and Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill, the film dramatizes the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, focusing on Nair’s legal battle against the British Empire to expose the truth behind the tragedy. Based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film blends historical events with fictional elements, resulting in a polarizing reception due to its mix of emotional power and historical inaccuracies.

Plot and Themes
The film opens with a harrowing depiction of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops, under General Reginald Dyer (Simon Paisley Day), fired on unarmed Indian civilians protesting the Rowlatt Act, killing over 1,000 people. C. Sankaran Nair, a distinguished Indian barrister and member of the Viceroy’s Council, is initially tasked by the British to investigate, expecting a report in their favor. Moved by the horrors he uncovers and influenced by a young survivor, Pargat Singh (Krish Rao), and law student Dilreet Gill, Nair undergoes a crisis of conscience. He sues General Dyer for genocide, facing off against the cunning Anglo-Indian lawyer Neville McKinley in a fictionalized courtroom battle. The narrative explores themes of justice, patriotism, and resistance against colonial oppression, aiming to highlight Nair’s role in challenging the British narrative.

While the film’s patriotic fervor and emotional depth resonate with audiences, its historical liberties—such as combining the Hunter Commission hearings with a later defamation suit and inventing a genocide trial—have drawn criticism. The disclaimer notes it is a “work of pure fiction” despite being inspired by true events, which some reviewers find deceptive given its use of real historical figures and events. The pacing falters in the first half, with uneven sequences like Nair’s initial support for convicting a revolutionary, but the second half’s courtroom drama delivers gripping moments.

Performances Akshay Kumar delivers a commanding performance as Nair, balancing intensity and vulnerability, particularly in the climactic courtroom scenes, which critics call his finest moments in the film. However, some argue he’s miscast as the 62-year-old Malayali statesman, with his heroic persona and lack of regional authenticity overshadowing Nair’s dignified stature. R. Madhavan shines as Neville McKinley, bringing nuance to a shrewd and resentful antagonist, though the script limits his ability to upstage Kumar. Ananya Panday surprises as Dilreet Gill, evolving from a hesitant lawyer to a fiery advocate, with her courtroom confrontation earning praise as a standout moment. Simon Paisley Day’s portrayal of General Dyer is chilling, enhanced by glimpses into his traumatic past, while young Krish Rao delivers a heartfelt performance as Pargat Singh. Supporting actors like Regina Cassandra and Amit Sial are effective but underutilized due to the script’s focus on the leads.

Technical Aspects The film’s production values are high, with a reported budget reflected in its handsome cinematography by Debojeet Ray, particularly in the haunting Jallianwala Bagh sequence. The recreation of the massacre is visceral and emotionally charged, though some viewers found it overly graphic. The courtroom scenes are tightly directed, with crisp editing by Nitin Baid keeping the tension high. However, the loud background score by Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth often detracts from the film’s grounded moments, with critics noting jarring musical choices like nu-metal and generic sad songs. The 134-minute runtime feels bloated due to a sluggish first half, but the pacing improves post-interval. Dialogues are a highlight, with Nair’s use of the F-word in the pre-climax and patriotic lines evoking goosebumps, though some feel they lean too heavily into populism.

Critical Reception Kesari Chapter 2 has received mixed reviews, with a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 critics. Supporters praise its emotional impact, stellar performances, and unflinching portrayal of a dark historical chapter, with Taran Adarsh calling it “one of the finest films to emerge from the Hindi film industry” (4/5). The Hindustan Times lauded Kumar’s “towering performance” and the film’s ability to “rightfully anger the Indian in you” (4/5). Posts on X echo this enthusiasm, with users calling it “spectacular” and a “must-watch” for its gripping narrative and historical significance.

However, detractors criticize its cavalier approach to history, with Mint calling it a “choppy” experience that buries Nair’s fascinating journey under “piles of nonsense.” The Hindu slammed its “chest-thumping” nationalism and failure to explore the massacre’s broader context, like the Rowlatt Act or Hindu-Muslim unity. Rediff noted that while entertaining, the film sacrifices authenticity for drama, comparing its climax to A Few Good Men rather than historical fact. X posts also reflect this divide, with some users decrying its “plain deception” in mixing fact and fiction. The film’s adults-only rating may limit its box office potential, though strong word-of-mouth has boosted collections, with estimates of ₹70 crore in India by day 12.

Overall Assessment Kesari Chapter 2 is a powerful, if flawed, courtroom drama that excels in evoking patriotism and delivering intense performances but stumbles with historical inaccuracies and an uneven first half. Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan anchor the film with fiery conviction, and Ananya Panday’s surprising depth adds freshness. The Jallianwala Bagh sequence and climactic trial are haunting and exhilarating, making it a compelling watch for fans of historical dramas. However, its fictionalized narrative and lack of nuance may frustrate viewers seeking historical fidelity. As a cinematic experience, it’s gripping and emotionally resonant, but it prioritizes style and sentiment over substance. Recommended for those who enjoy patriotic Bollywood dramas and can overlook its liberties with history.