Kesari Chapter 2 Review: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is a cinematic wheat grinder trying to balance the power of historical justice with artistic justice. The film is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and stars Akshay Kumar as the exalted Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, R. Madhavan as the British barrister Neville McKinley, and Ananya Panday as the young inspirational lawyer Dilreet Gill.
While the film tries to shine light on an unknown story in the chapter of India’s independence movement, it has most of the bases covered, but unfortunately misses in some important areas. So, let’s try to highlight the good and the bad in this Kesari Chapter 2 Review.
⭐ Plot Summary
Set in post-Jallianwala Bagh, the film starts at the site of the mass murder that shocked India in 1919. Sir Sankaran Nair is a lawyer and member of the Viceroy’s Council, torn between his loyalty to the British Empire and obligations to his country.
After experiencing personal loss and guilt, Nair seeks to hold the Crown accountable for the slaughter by suing General Reginald Dyer for the mass killing. At that point, it shifts into a courtroom drama, filled with verbal tussles, flashbacks, and moments of realizations.
🎭 Performances by Akshay Kumar as Sir Sankaran Nair
Akshay Kumar gives an earnest performance and makes a very good effort to inject depth into his character. He appears to be miscast, especially when accounting for the language and cultural aspect of the live Malayali lawyer. The role of being sincere does not have the degree of authenticity expected for such an important historical character.
R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley
Madhavan enters the story shortly before the intermission, and instantly improves the second half of the show. As a jaded British barrister, he does provide some heft, even though the writing doesn’t give him all that much heft to work with. Nevertheless, he offers a strong counterweight to Akshay.
Read More: Kesari Chapter 2 Release Date, Cast & Review in 2025
Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill
Ananya is a young, nationalistic lawyer who worships Nair. Her character acts as an intermediary between Nair’s old-fashioned diplomacy and the growing wave of rebellion from Indian youth. Though she has depth, she is a secondary character.
🎬 Direction and Screenplay
Karan Singh Tyagi, as the director, and Amritpal Singh Bindra, as the writer, create a courtroom drama with intense emotional moments, but it fails to deliver depth in terms of historical context and character development.
The majority of the film takes place in a courtroom and does not delve into Nair’s political career as a whole. Even his involvement with the Indian National Congress is only briefly mentioned. What could have been a rich historical drama became a ‘star vehicle’.
📽️ Cinematic Quality
The visuals are beautiful, particularly the dramatized scenes from court and the opening massacre. The production designs do a good job of creating a colonial-era feel, and the lighting suits the dramatic feel of the scenes.
But the treatment across the series feels more Bollywood commercial-style rather than historical realism. The scenes may look polished, but they lack the emotional heft one expects when viewing narratives about the freedom struggle.
💬 Themes and Symbolism
The film attempts to address contemporary issues subtly, such as:
- Suppression of dissent
- Media manipulation
- Misuse of the law by the ruling power
However, these themes are explored only briefly and don’t resonate very powerfully throughout the screenplay. The emotional transitions, particularly Nair’s turnaround, feel rushed and unearned.
🔍 Key Highlights
- The film opens with a powerful depiction of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Krish Rao, playing the young survivor Pargat Singh, adds emotional intensity.
- Sankaran Nair’s awakening scene, where he confronts a “Dogs and Indians not allowed” sign, hits hard.
- Madhavan’s second-half performance saves the pacing.
⚖️ Final Verdict
Kesari Chapter 2 could have been a real trendsetter in historical cinema. But although the famous topic and the big names in the cast, it only just gets by. Akshay Kumar does what he can, but the cultural displacement and shallow script let him down.
As a Bollywood courtroom drama, it is flashy and has a few exciting moments. But as a historical retelling, there is no depth, and it offers no nuance.
🎥 Cast and Crew
| Role |
Name |
| Lead Actor |
Akshay Kumar |
| Supporting |
R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday |
| Director |
Karan Singh Tyagi |
| Writers |
Karan Singh Tyagi, Amritpal Singh Bindra |
| Release Year |
2025 (expected) |
❓ FAQs About Kesari Chapter 2
1. Is Kesari Chapter 2 a sequel to the first Kesari film?
No. It is not a direct sequel. Kesari Chapter 2 is a new story about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the trial that followed it, totally independent of the first film.
2. Is Akshay Kumar suitable for the role of Sankaran Nair?
While Akshay Kumar delivers an enthusiastic performance, many critics believe he is miscast because of the cultural and language differences from the real person.
3. Does the film portray the full history of Jallianwala Bagh?
Not entirely. It is true for the movie that is dramatizing key events while avoiding the depths of the historical and political complexity of that era.
4. How is R. Madhavan’s performance?
R. Madhavan is very strong as the opposition lawyer. His presence in the second half of the film gives it more heft.
5. Is Kesari Chapter 2 worth watching?
Yes, for people who like courtroom films and loyal cinema, yes. However, those looking for a deeper historical telling may be disappointed.
