Kesari Chapter 2 Review
Breaking away from the war-soaked legacy of its predecessor, Kesari Chapter 2 carves its path through the high-stakes world of courtroom drama. Released on April 18, 2025, this Akshay Kumar-led film places its strength in sharp dialogues, layered emotions, and legal confrontations. Let’s evaluate the filmmaking finesse, star appeal, and box office trajectory of the Bollywood historical drama Kesari Chapter 2.
Narrative Depth of Kesari Chapter 2
Subtitled ‘The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh,’ this chapter revisits one of colonial India’s darkest hours, seldom explored on screen. Inspired by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s The Case That Shook The Empire, the film leans into its charting of familiar territory with dignity rather than daring.
Anchored by the tireless resolve of C. Sankaran Nair, it delves deep into his courtroom quest for justice following the brutal Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As legal proceedings unmask imperial deceit and media manipulation, Nair’s defiance ignites both a legal and emotional uprising.
Filmmaking: Direction and Screenplay in Harmony
When storytelling meets sincerity, it leaves a lasting imprint, and this film does just that under the assured vision of Karan Singh Tyagi. His approach isn’t weighed down by the need to sensationalise history but rather to let the gravity of its truth speak for itself. Each frame feels like it was carved with both reverence and restraint. It offers a cinematic experience that balances commercial storytelling with historical depth.
Even the few dramatised moments stay rooted in emotional honesty, never tipping into artificiality. What’s especially refreshing is its resistance to the typical post-interval slump; the pacing remains taut and engaging throughout.
The dialogues, shaped meticulously by Sumit Saxena, feel less like scripted lines, deliberate truths waiting to strike. Credit also flows to Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra’s subtle strength in co-shaping the screenplay. With this creative collaboration, the drama avoids overblown patriotism, opting instead for quiet, piercing dignity.
Star Cast Led by Akshay Kumar
Akshay delivers a performance that transcends his usual action-packed persona. Stepping into the shoes of C. Sankaran Nair, he masterfully portrays the transformation of a British loyalist into a passionate truth-seeker. His ability to channel the inner conflict of a man torn between loyalty and morality introduces a unique depth to his character. Every monologue, carefully crafted and executed, is a moment of defiance and a raw human reaction to the forces of manipulation.
In contrast, R. Madhavan, as Neville McKinley, serves as the perfect foil to Akshay’s stoic intensity. His portrayal of an eloquent, somewhat eccentric opposing counsel presents a refined complexity to their courtroom clashes. These verbal duels are poised as ideological battlegrounds, where each word carries the weight of colonial repression and personal belief.
Ananya Panday shines as Dilreet Kaur, a co-counsel whose quiet determination adds gravitas to her role. She navigates her character’s legal prowess and personal pain with remarkable maturity.
Meanwhile, Regina Cassandra’s portrayal of Nair’s wife, Palat Kunhimalu Amma, anchors much-needed support to Nair's tumultuous journey.
Finally, Simon Paisley Day brings a chilling presence as General Dyer, whose backstory adds a layer of tragic complexity to his villainous role. His portrayal sheds light on the dark psychology driving colonial violence.
Visual Brilliance and Score: Production Set, Cinematography, and Music
The production design by Rita Ghosh flawlessly brings the pre-Independence era to life. It extends from the bustling streets of Amritsar to the bloodied grounds of Jallianwala Bagh. The colonial courts, the grandeur of the Viceroy’s parties feels genuine yet not overly staged. Every single detail is meticulously crafted to evoke the period’s oppressive atmosphere.
Debojeet Ray’s cinematography, paired with Tyagi's direction, adds a visual depth that enhances the emotional weight of the story.
The music elevates the experience further with Shashwat Sachdev’s stirring compositions, like ‘O Shera’ and ‘Kithe Gaya.’ Azeem Dayani’s background score underscores the tension and drama. A poignant moment arrives with the nostalgic revisit of ‘Teri Mitti,’ an emotional callback to the first film, binding the narrative together beautifully.
Box Office Strength and Audience Verdict
Bankrolled by the collaborative strength of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, the film’s box office journey began with steady momentum. Its opening day pulled in Rs 7.75 crore, which is around BDT 11.02 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.42); a respectable start. The second day witnessed a healthy uplift, recording Rs 9.5 crore (BDT 13.51 crore), 22.58 percent growth from day 1.
As of midday on April 20, the third-day earnings stood at Rs. 0.6 crore (BDT 0.8 crore), pushing the total to Rs. 17.85 crore (BDT 25.38 crore).
Despite stiff competition from Sunny Deol’s roaring comeback in Jaat, the movie’s hold remains promising. Audience reception shines brightly too, with an IMDB rating of 8.6- a testament to its impact beyond mere numbers.
Verdict
Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review reflects a gripping courtroom journey wrapped in patriotic depth and emotional weight. Akshay Kumar’s compelling portrayal of C. Sankaran Nair marks one of his most restrained yet stirring performances. The historical drama arrived with an impressive box office turnout, holding audience attention despite its creatively mixed echoes. A fine blend of storytelling and purpose, Karan Singh’s direction emerges as a dignified sequel worth watching.