Akshay Kumar
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.
Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads
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.
Read more: May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch
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.
Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows
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.
Read more: Sunny Deol's Jaat Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching
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.
Read more: 10 Best Films, Documentaries on Palestine That Everyone Should Watch
9 days ago
Kesari Chapter 2 Advance Bookings: Akshay Kumar’s courtroom drama off to a steady start, collects ₹1.86 crore
Kesari Chapter 2, the much-awaited courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar, is all set to release in theatres on Friday, April 18. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film also features Ananya Panday and R Madhavan in key roles.
Ahead of its theatrical debut, the film has generated considerable buzz among audiences, with advance ticket sales picking up pace. As per data from Sacnilk, Kesari Chapter 2 has sold 24,935 tickets across 3,503 shows so far, bringing in ₹82.85 lakh from advance bookings alone. Including blocked seats, the total pre-release collection has reached ₹1.86 crore.
On Tuesday, the makers hosted a grand premiere in Delhi at a cinema in Chanakyapuri. The special screening was attended by several high-profile political figures and dignitaries, with Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan personally greeting guests at the event.
Nate Bargatze will host the 2025 Emmy Awards
Before the screening began, Akshay Kumar addressed the audience, urging them to stay off their phones during the film. “I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film. So I request everyone to keep their phones away,” he said.
Set in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Kesari Chapter 2 is a thematic successor to Akshay Kumar’s 2019 film Kesari. While the original, directed by Anurag Singh, focused on the legendary Battle of Saragarhi in 1897, the sequel continues the narrative of valor and sacrifice with a fresh perspective.
The film also stars Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, and Alexx O'Nell in prominent roles.
Ibrahim Ali Khan responds to Palak Tiwari dating rumours: "She's Sweet"
Kesari Chapter 2 is jointly produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari under the banners of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films.
Source: With input from NDTV
12 days ago
Akshay backs Salman amid ‘Sikandar’ setback: ‘Tiger Zinda Hai, Hamesha Rahega’
Amid criticism over the poor box office performance of Salman Khan’s latest film Sikandar, fellow actor and longtime friend Akshay Kumar has come out in support of the star.
During a special screening of his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ in Delhi, Akshay dismissed claims that big stars are losing their box office pull.
“Dekhiye yeh galat baat hai. Aisa hai, aisa ho nahi sakta hai. Tiger Zinda hai aur hamesha rahega. Salman aisi nasal ka tiger jo zindagi mein kabhi marr nahi sakta,” he said.
‘The Great Moose Migration’ captivates devoted fans of Swedish slow TV sensation
["Look, this is wrong. This can't be. The tiger is alive and will always remain alive. Salman is the kind of tiger who can never die in his lifetime," he said.]
Akshay and Salman, who began their film careers around the same time, have shared screen space in popular films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Jaan-E-Mann, and continue to share a strong camaraderie.
With inputs form Hindustan Times
14 days ago
Akshay’s film ‘Sky Force’ nears Rs100cr mark in India
Directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, ‘Sky Force’, featuring Akshay Kumar, garnered Rs 2.56 crore net in India on its eighth day at the box office.
The film’s total net earnings in India have now reached Rs 89.06 crore, with expectations of surpassing the Rs 100 crore milestone over the weekend.
On Day 8, ‘Sky Force’ recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 11.22 percent. By the end of its first week, the film had already crossed Rs 100 crore in global earnings, amounting to Rs 111.5 crore.
Its India net collection on day seven stood at Rs 86.5 crore, while the India gross total reached Rs 103.25 crore. The film’s overseas earnings were reported at Rs 8.25 crore.
‘Sky Force’ opened with Rs 12 crore on its first day, followed by Rs 22 crore on Day 2 and a peak collection of Rs 28 crore on Day 3.
However, the numbers declined in the following days, with Rs 7 crore on fourth day, Rs 5.75 crore on fifth day, Rs 6 crore on sixth and Rs 5.5 crore on seventh.
After Coldplay's India tour, Chris Martin to perform at Grammy Awards ceremony
Set during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, the film revolves around IAF officer T Vijaya (played by Veer Pahariya), who goes missing in action. Akshay Kumar portrays KO Ahuja, an IAF officer determined to locate Vijaya.
Made on a budget of Rs 160 crore, ‘Sky Force’ also features Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur in significant roles.
Source: with inputs from Indian Media
2 months ago
Akshay Kumar reveals most dangerous stunt of career
Veteran Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, fondly known as 'Khiladi Kumar' for his penchant for action-packed roles, has reflected on one of the most perilous stunts of his career.
The feat, performed for the 1998 film Angaaray, saw him leaping from the seventh floor of one building to the fourth floor of another, separated by a narrow road below.
Recalling the nerve-wracking moment during an interview with The Quint while promoting his latest film Sky Force, Akshay shared an amusing yet alarming anecdote involving the film’s director, Mahesh Bhatt.
February 2025 South Indian Movie Releases: Top 12 Must-Watch Films
“There was a stunt in Angaaray where I jumped from a seven-floor building. In between, there was a road, but only one lane, and there was another building on the other side. So, I had to jump from the seventh to the fourth floor,” Akshay explained.
What made the incident even more unforgettable was Mahesh Bhatt’s reaction. The veteran filmmaker, fearing for Akshay’s life, decided to flee the scene before the actor could execute the daring leap. “During that, my director ran away,” Akshay revealed with a chuckle, recalling the palpable tension surrounding the stunt.
Akshay Kumar, who has built a reputation for performing his own stunts throughout his illustrious career, has often credited his dedication to pushing boundaries for his success. His thrilling performances have earned him admiration from fans and colleagues alike.
Film actress Nipun banned for life from Shilpi Samity
While Akshay successfully executed the stunt in Angaaray, the anecdote highlights the risks he has taken to bring authenticity to his roles. His latest venture, Sky Force, further showcases his commitment to delivering high-octane performances.
For Akshay, the journey of performing dangerous stunts continues to be a testament to his love for cinema, even if it occasionally leaves his directors in a state of panic.
Source: Indian media
3 months ago
Bollywood bodyguards: Their pay packages could make you feel really poor!
Some nine years ago, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan played a bodyguard assigned to protect a college-goer from assailants in a blockbuster film by the same name. To a poser then, he had dedicated the movie to his personal bodyguard, Gurmeet Singh, nicknamed Shera, who also starred in a cameo in the flick.
4 years ago
Akshay Kumar reveals he drinks cow urine daily
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has revealed that he drinks cow urine every day for ayurvedic reasons, reports Indian media.
4 years ago
Bollywood Khans mum as Delhi violence death toll mounts
Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Amir Khan are drawing criticism from fans for maintaining silence even as violence in the Indian capital claimed 47 lives.
5 years ago
Akshay Kumar's lookalike found in Kashmir
Dhaka, Aug 29 (UNB)- The internet is a crazy world and netizens never fail to highlight anything that makes it to a list of rather unusual or unique things, and well, looks like Akshay Kumar has made it to the headlines once again, this time not for a movie but for something else. Yep, if you have been scrolling through the internet in the day, you might know what we are talking about because it is all over and every place, reports the PINKVILLA.
5 years ago