Hindi Film
Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar Fronts a Bold Patriotic Courtroom Saga
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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10 days ago
May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch
Bollywood’s cinematic universe has always been a vibrant mosaic of emotions and larger-than-life narratives that echo across generations. As May 2025 approaches, the diverse slate of Hindi film releases covers crime, thrillers, romance, comedy, horror, historical epics, and action-packed sagas. With a mix of celebrated stars and promising new talents gracing the screen, fans are eagerly counting down the premiere days. Here’s the list of most-anticipated Bollywood movies coming in this May.
10 Must-watch Bollywood Films Debuting this May
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Raid 2 | Crime Thriller | May 1, 2025
A direct successor to the 2018 movie Raid, this thriller thrives under the direction of Raj Kumar Gupta, who co-wrote the movie with Ritesh Shah, Karan Vyas, and Jaideep Yadav.
The narrative sharpens its lens on Amay Patnaik, an Indian Revenue Service officer. His unyielding pursuit of black money has already led to the recovery of over Rs. 4,200 crores. Now, he prepares for his landmark 75th raid, locking horns with Dada Manohar Bhai, a formidable figure entrenched in white-collar crime.
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The major cast members are Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, and Ajay Devgn. The film showcases item songs featuring special cameos by Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Yo Yo Honey Singh.
Headlined by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Honey Singh, the soundtrack brings together an ensemble featuring White Noise Collectives, Sachet-Parampara, Rochak Kohli, and Amit Trivedi. Trivedi also orchestrates the background score.
The production credit goes to Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak.
The Bhootnii | Horror Comedy | May 1, 2025
Initially slated for premiere on April 18, this Sanjay Dutt-fronted action-horror spectacle is now set to make its theatrical debut on May 1.
Alongside Dutt, “The Bhootnii” stars Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Aasif Khan, Beyounick, and Navneet Malik in crucial roles.
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Besides directing and writing the movie, Sidhaant Sachdev contributes to its screenplay along with Vankush Arora.
The narrative unwraps with St. Vincent College’s Virgin Tree awakening a love-starved spirit every Valentine’s Day. When Shantanu's wish stirs her obsession, 27 days of eerie love and growing horror unfold. As dread grips the campus, a parapsychicist, Baba, faces a force beyond his lifetime of ghost-hunting.
The horror-comedy makes its way to theatres courtesy of producers Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut, Sanjay Dutt, and Maanayata Dutt.
Costao | Crime Drama | May 1, 2025
This film draws inspiration from the real-life grit of customs officer Costao Fernandes, who, in the 1990s, dismantled Goa’s most entrenched smuggling empire. This crime drama charts Fernandes’ lone-wolf crusade against one of India’s largest gold trafficking syndicates.
The directing of Sejal Shah and the writing of Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava elevate the drama.
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Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G., and Davina Colaco portray the main characters.
Kamlesh Bhanushali, Vinod Bhanushali, Bhavesh Mandalia, Sejal Shah, Faizuddin Siddiqui, and Shyam Sunder oversee the production.
Bhool Chuk Maaf | Comedy Drama | May 9, 2025
Bankrolled by Dinesh Vijan, this joint production of Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios highlights the writing and directing prowess of Karan Sharma.
The lead cast consists of Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajkumar Rao, and Seema Pahwa, supported by Sanjay Mishra and Zakir Hussain.
The storyline drifts through the narrow places of Varanasi, where the charm of small-town love meets the twists of destiny. Ranjan, a lovestruck dreamer, lands a secure government post to marry his beloved Titli. But as wedding bells near, fate traps him in an inexplicable time loop.
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Abir Gulaal | Romantic Comedy | May 9, 2025
Flourished with Aarti S. Bagdi as the director, this romantic movie headlines actors Vaani Kapoor and Fawad Khan.
The story unfolds as fate entwines the lives of two wounded hearts, each carrying silent scars of their past. Through shared moments of vulnerability, their companionship deepens, slowly blossoming into a love rooted in solace.
The supporting cast members are Riddhi Dogra, Lisa Haydon, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, and Parmeet Sethi.
With Amit Trivedi composing the music, this movie is a collaborative production of Vivek B. Agrawal, Avantika Hari, Rakesh Sippy, and Firuzi Khan.
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14 days ago
Sunny Deol's Jaat Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching
“Jaat” marks Sunny Deol’s cinematic comeback, reviving the raw intensity that once defined his larger-than-life action era. At 67, the veteran star once again shoulders the weight of high-octane drama and fist-pumping sequences. Released theatrically on 10 April 2025, this film taps into old-school heroism with unshaken resolve. Let's find out if the Bollywood action thriller Jaat (2025) truly packs a punch or merely rides on nostalgia.
Jaat Movie Insights: Storyline, Theme, and Direction
Set against the windswept shores of Ramayapatnam, “Jaat” opens with a familiar setup: A stranger’s arrival disrupts the reign of a merciless tyrant. What follows is a battle not just of muscle but of moral reckoning.
Director Gopichand Malineni, making his Hindi debut after a strong Telugu run, infuses the first half with remarkable energy. With the unmistakable flavour of the Madras Cut, the film crafts a tightly edited, sharply written build-up that surprises with its humour and fluid pacing.
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Gopichand, alongside co-writers Srinivas Gavireddy and Kundan Pandey, maintains a screenplay that invites curiosity and keeps the viewer guessing. There’s craft in the setup, an assurance in the rhythm, and polish in every frame.
However, this polish fades as the second half unravels. The plot begins to sag under the weight of scattered sub-themes. It extends from moral crusades to social messaging and half-baked women empowerment arcs. The tonal balance wavers, and what once felt precise becomes overstuffed. Even the stylised violence begins to feel repetitive rather than impactful.
Sunny Deol’s Action Legacy Is Far from Done
Beneath the dust and defiance, the movie builds toward an inevitable clash, though the path leading there holds enough punch to keep things moving. Sunny Deol’s name goes unspoken until deep into the second half, but by then, the aura is already cemented. He leans fully into his strengths—every bellow, every punch sending bodies flying, lands with satisfying impact.
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Thaman S.’s rousing background score breathes rhythm into each frame, especially during those slow-motion power walks and tension-laced standoffs.
“Jaat” works best as a nostalgic ride for Sunny fans, even if it stops short of offering something truly new beneath the spectacle.
Casts In the Shadows of the Spotlight
A brooding menace cloaks Randeep Hooda’s performance—sharp, deliberate, and just restrained enough to intrigue. Though the “real-life Jaat” angle is left underexplored, he owns the screen whenever present. Vineet Kumar Singh revels in madness, slipping into his wild sidekick role with unforced flair.
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Regina Cassandra commands attention with layered poise. Saiyami Kher’s cop role feels underutilised, limited to mere script requirements without the chance to leave a lasting impression. Jagapathi Babu’s character also fades into the background, failing to make a significant impact.
Solid Opening in Box Office and IMDb Score
Backed by Mythri Movie Makers, People Media Factory, and Zee Studios, Jaat arrived with solid commercial momentum. Its opening day haul of Rs 9.5 crore placed it as the fourth-biggest Hindi opener of 2025, crossing BDT 13.14 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.38).
By 2 pm on April 11, it added another 1.39 crore (approximately BDT 1.92 crore), holding steady on its second day. The numbers fall short when placed beside the thunderous Rs 40 crore (over BDT 55.34 crore) launch that Gadar 2 stormed in with back in 2023. However, they still mark an improvement over Deol’s recent outings.
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ET News claims that Rs. 3.62 million (over BDT 5 million) worth of tickets were sold in just two hours. As per the Times of India, pre-release ticket sales reached Rs. 62.7 million (beyond BDT 86.75 million). On IMDb, the film currently holds a respectable 7.8 rating from 827 users.
In a Nutshell
The Bollywood film Jaat (2025) delivers a familiar yet rousing action experience, with Sunny Deol stealing the spotlight through sheer presence and raw power. His performance reminds audiences why he's long been a mass favourite. The action film opened well at the box office, signalling strong crowd pull despite mixed creative reception. While it doesn’t break new ground, Gopichand’s direction succeeds as a throwback entertainer. It is definitely a decent one-time watch for One-Man-Army epic action fans.
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19 days ago
Top Hindi Films to Watch: August 2024 Bollywood Releases
Bollywood movies endure due to the irresistible filmmaking and the exciting star-studded casts. Talented characterizations enriched with brilliant acting performances keep viewers eager to watch new films on the screen. Production houses tirelessly aim to introduce their finest contributions. Like every month, August brings new releases in diverse genres ranging from comedy to thriller. Let’s explore the theatrical releases of Bollywood films scheduled for August 2024.
8 Most-hyped Bollywood Movies Premiering This August
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha | Romantic Thriller | August 2, 2024
Starring Tabu and Ajay Devgn in their tenth film together, this movie's release date has been postponed from 5th July to August. Directed and written by Neeraj Pandey, the movie also stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Saiee Manjrekar in pivotal roles.
This cinematic venture is produced by Shital Bhatia, Sangeeta Ahir, Narendra Hirawat, and Kumar Mangat Pathak.
Spanning from 2000 to 2023, the thriller movie intricately portrays a couple's evolving love story, capturing the emotional depths and shifting dynamics over two decades. Krishna, entangled in multiple murders, receives a life sentence, leading to Vasudha's separation and subsequent marriage to Abhijeet. After 22 years, Krishna is pardoned and released, yearning for a final reunion with Vasudha, culminating in a poignant last meeting.
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The score and soundtrack album of ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’ were composed by Oscar-winning music director M. M. Keeravani.
The Sabarmati Report | Thriller Drama | August 2, 2024
Inspired by true incidents, the thriller film boasts Ranjan Chandel as the director and Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, and Amul V Mohan producing it. The screenplay, based on a story by Aseem Arora, is a collaborative effort by Arjun Bhandegaonkar and Avinash Singh Tomar.
The movie vividly depicts the tragic events of the morning of February 27, 2002, on the Sabarmati Express close to Godhra railway station in Gujarat.
'The Sabarmati Report' features compelling performances by Vikrant Massey, Riddhi Dogra, and Raashii Khanna.
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Ulajh | Spy Thriller | August 2, 2024
Starring Janhvi Kapoor as a young IFS officer, the spy movie delves into the enduring legacy of her family. She becomes ensnared in a perilous personal conspiracy while stationed in a pivotal, distant post far from home.
‘Ulajh’ is directed by Sudhanshu Saria, who also contributed to the screenplay with Parveez Shaikh.
Spearheaded by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures as producer, the movie also stars Roshan Mathew, Gulshan Devaiah, Adil Hussain, and Rajesh Tailang in supporting roles.
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Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba | Romantic Thriller | August 09, 2024
Under the joint production of Colour Yellow Productions and T-Series Films, Jayprad Desai’s directing elevates the movie. It stars Taapsee Pannu, Sunny Kaushal, and Vikrant Massey in key roles, supported by Jimmy Shergill and Aditya Srivastava.
Penned by Kanika Dhillon, the film's plot centers on Rani, a paying guest, and Rishu, living under the alias Ravi Varma. The city grapples with a broken barrage, severe floods, and the unexpected presence of crocodiles in the Yamuna River. Amidst this chaos, Rishu and Rani strive to remain unnoticed and plan their escape to a hopeful future.
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9 months ago
June 2024 Bollywood Buzz: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Film Releases
Bollywood movies have long captivated audiences with their eclectic storytelling, masterfully weaving together drama, romance, action, and melodic musical interludes. These films boast vibrant choreography, rich cultural tapestries, and enthralling plots that range from epic love sagas to riveting thrillers. Combined with star-studded ensembles and opulent productions, this versatility creates an immersive spectacle that appeals to myriad emotions. As we enter June 2024, let's look at the ten most-anticipated Bollywood films set to grace the silver screen this month.
10 Best Bollywood Movies Set to Sizzle Screens This June
Return Ticket | Drama | June 5, 2024
Co-written and directed by Nisant, the movie features Arbaaz Khan, Mugdha Godse, Vikram Gokhale, and Ruslaan Mumtaz as lead characters. The supporting cast includes Adhyayan Suman, Gurleen Chopra, Tushar Acharya, and Dev Sharma in supporting roles.
‘Return Ticket’ is about a young man named Kunal, who tirelessly strives to win his mother's affection. However, he is shocked to discover a harrowing truth about his birth.
Hamare Baarah | Drama | June 7, 2024
Helmed by Kamal Chandra, this film prompts reflection on societal views regarding family size and the significance of women's empowerment. The story centers on Manzoor Ali Khan Sanjari, portrayed by Annu Kapoor, who insists on having more children despite the associated risks. His daughter, Alfiya, takes him to court to protect her stepmother's life, sparking a conflict between entrenched patriarchal traditions and the pursuit of individual rights.
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Along with Annu, ‘Hamare Baarah’ stars Rahul Bagga, Ashwini Kalsekar, Paritosh Tiwari, Manoj Joshi, Parth Samthaan, and debutant Aditi Bhatpahri in prominent roles.
Blackout | Comedy Thriller | June 7, 2024
Directed by debutant Devang Bhavsar, the film promises a blend of crime, comedy, and thriller. The movie stars Vikrant Massey, Mouni Roy, Jisshu Sengupta, and Sunil Grover, Instagram sensations Karan Sonwane and Saurabh Ghadge, Chhaya Kadam, Ruhani Sharma, and Prasad Oak.
‘Blackout’ follows a man whose life is turned upside down one night when he stumbles upon a truck loaded with cash and gold. Unbeknownst to him, the haul belongs to a mafia gang, thrusting him into a whirlwind of trouble.
Munjya | Comedy Horror | June 7, 2024
Aditya Sarpotdar, renowned for the 2018 horror comedy ‘Stree’, once again comes with a supernatural comedy venture. This fourth film of Maddock Supernatural Universe stars Sharvari, Abhay Verma, Mona Singh, Sathyaraj, and Suhas Joshi.
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The film delves into the legend of Munjya, drawing inspiration from rich Indian folklore and mythology. It unfolds the tale of the titular character, Munjya, a diminutive yet fearsome creature, perceptible solely to the protagonist- a socially awkward, l young man.
Phooli | Drama | June 7, 2024
The movie is directed and written by Avinash Dhyani, who also contributed to the production. Not only that, the film also features him as a magician, named Mahendra Sarkar. Moreover, ‘Phooli’ stars Riya Baluni in the titular role, along with Suruchi Saklani, Prince Juyal, Rishi Raj Bhatt, Sanjay Agarwal, Vijay Bhatt, and Bhagat Singh Ghusain in supporting roles.
The storyline revolves around a young girl named Phooli, who dreams of learning and following her aspirations. However, her circumstances hinder her educational pursuits. Enter a magician who encourages her to excel in her studies and helps her navigate through challenging times.
11 months ago
Pathaan Movie Box Office Collection: Breaking Records in 2023
Pathaan is a highly anticipated Bollywood movie that has recently been released in theaters. The movie features Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role and has been directed by Siddharth Anand. The film has been making headlines for its impressive box office collection, which has been breaking records left and right. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Pathaan movie box office collection and explore the factors that have contributed to its success.
Pathaan was released on January 25th, 2023. Since then, the movie has broken several records of recent blockbuster films. The film has received a positive response from audiences and critics alike, and this has translated into impressive box office numbers. According to a report by Box Office India, Pathaan earned Rs. 45.50 crores on its opening day, making it one of the highest opening day collections for a Bollywood film. This impressive start was followed by strong collections over the weekend, with the film earning Rs. 120 crores in its first three days.
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Earnings of Pathaan Film
A breakdown of the day-to-day box office collection of Pathaan:
Day 1 (Jan 25, 2023): Rs. 45.50 crore
Day 2 (Jan 26, 2023): Rs. 50 crore
Day 3 (Jan 27, 2023): Rs. 30 crore
Day 4 (Jan 28, 2023): Rs. 25 crore
Day 5 (Jan 29, 2023): Rs. 20 crore
Day 6 (Jan 30, 2023): Rs. 18 crore
Day 7 (Jan 31, 2023): Rs. 15 crore
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2 years ago