Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (released 18 April 2025) is a gripping historical courtroom drama directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. The film brings to life the overlooked legal battle fought by Justice Chettoor Sankaran Nair—portrayed by Akshay Kumar—against the British Empire following the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.
Co-starring powerhouse actors R. Madhavan as Advocate Neville McKinley and Ananya Panday as determined young lawyer Dilreet Gill, Kesari Chapter 2 transitions from battlefield heroism (2019’s Kesari) into the tense atmosphere of courtroom justice. Regina Cassandra plays Nair’s loyal wife Parvathy, offering emotional depth to the story. The film’s antagonists—Simon Paisley Day as General Reginald Dyer and Mark Bennington as Michael O’Dwyer—embody the oppressive colonial machinery. With a strong ensemble cast including Alexx O’Nell, Amit Sial, Deepak Antani, Sammy Jonas Heaney, Steven Hartley, Krish Rao, Rohan Verma, Alexandra Moloney, Jaipreet Singh, Luke Kenny, Atul Kumar, and a special cameo by Masaba Gupta, the narrative is both intimate and epic in scope. Vicky Kaushal’s evocative voiceover narration adds powerful resonance.
Inspired by the book The Case That Shook The Empire, the screenplay by Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra reveals a little-known chapter in India’s journey to freedom. Amid gripping cross-examinations, suppressed evidence, and moral confrontation, the film explores themes of justice, guilt, accountability, and resilience. The recreation of the Jallianwala Bagh episode is cinematic yet respectful, and evokes strong emotional response—a feature highlighted by critics and audiences alike.
Music composers Shashwat Sachdev, Kavita Seth, and Kanishk Seth, paired with lyrical depth from Irshad Kamil, deliver a stirring soundtrack. The song “O Shera – Teer Te Taj” (released April 2025) pays homage to Punjab’s enduring spirit, while the visually rich dance number “Khumaari” features Masaba Gupta in a dazzling special appearance.
Following its theatrical run, where it earned praise for performances by Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan and its intense courtroom sequences, the film premiered on JioHotstar on 13 June 2025. Although discussions were sparked over its balance of fact and dramatization, reviewers commended its ability to evoke awareness of colonial-era injustice. With its historical significance, emotional storytelling, and courtroom tension, Kesari Chapter 2 appeals to history enthusiasts, legal drama fans, and audiences seeking compelling cinema rooted in real events.
Highlights include:
A long-forgotten legal drama spotlighting the 1919 atrocity
Stellar performances from Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday
A multicultural cast portraying colonial-era tension
A striking balance of historical fact and cinematic storytelling
An evocative soundtrack and impactful visual narrative
