Dharma Productions, Cape Of Good Films and Leo Media Collective’s Kesari Chapter 2 (A) is a courtroom drama that shines light on a lesser-known but defining chapter of India’s freedom struggle the legal battle fought by barrister Sankaran Nair against the British empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The film is based on Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s book The Case That Shook The Empire: One Man’s Fight For The Truth About The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Story & Screenplay
Karan Singh Tyagi and Amritpal Bindra’s story draws immense power from history itself. Since very few people are aware of the legal blow suffered by the British empire in this case, the drama carries enormous shock value and patriotic resonance. The research is meticulous, and the writing captures both the personal conviction of Sankaran Nair and the political ramifications of his fight.
The screenplay is sharp, pacy, and compelling. There are no loose ends or redundant sequences, and despite the single-track courtroom setting, the drama never turns monotonous. Several moments especially in the pre-climax and climax are infused with patriotism and applause-worthy intensity. Sankaran Nair’s fiery courtroom outburst, including his use of the F-word in a historic scene, will take audiences by surprise and is bound to earn loud whistles and claps. The climax is truly remarkable, capping the narrative with a rousing finish. Dialogues by Sumit Saxena (with additional inputs by Akshath Ghildial) are powerful, weighty, and often clapworthy.
Performances
Akshay Kumar delivers a powerhouse performance as Sankaran Nair. Controlled, intense, and deeply invested, he lifts the entire film with his screen presence.
Ananya Panday is a revelation as Dilreet Gill. Her assured performance will surprise many and adds freshness to the film.
R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley matches Akshay Kumar brilliantly in the courtroom, creating a crackling dynamic.
Regina Cassandra is quietly effective as Nair’s wife.
Simon Paisley Day brings menace and nuance to General Dyer.
Amit Sial (Tirath Singh) is simply phenomenal his facial expressions are unforgettable.
Krish Rao (Sardar Pargat) delivers one of the most moving performances of the film, especially in his emotional scene with Sankaran Nair.
Steven Hartley, Mark Bennington, Michael James Parr, Luke Kenny, Jaipreet Singh, Shrikant, Rohan Verma, Alexandra Moloney, Nitish Kapoor and others lend strong support, each adding weight to the ensemble.
Alexx O’Nell stands out as Lord Chelmsford, while Sohan Bandopadhyay (Chittranjan Das) is very natural.
Masaba Gupta provides glamour in a special appearance song-dance number.
Even minor roles (Deepak Atani as Gandhi, Atul Kumar as the Crown’s lawyer, Carl Harte as William Hunter, etc.) are well-cast and neatly performed.
Direction & Technical Aspects
Karan Singh Tyagi, in his directorial debut, delivers a nearly flawless film. His command over courtroom drama, historical detail, and emotional patriotism ensures the narrative is both entertaining and enlightening.
Shashwat Sachdev’s music (with Kavita Seth and Kanishk Seth’s Khumaari) complements the tone beautifully. The clever reuse of a hit track from Kesari is a smart move, adding nostalgia. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are profound, and choreography by Vijay Ganguly, Kruti Mahesh, and Khyati Panchmatia enhances the cinematic experience.
Debojeet Ray’s cinematography is outstanding, capturing grandeur and intensity alike. Florian Hotz and Sunil Rodrigues’ action choreography is thrilling, particularly in flashback sequences. Rita Ghosh’s production design is rich, authentic, and immersive. Nitin Baid’s editing is razor-sharp, keeping the pace taut.
Final Verdict
On the whole, Kesari Chapter 2 is a patriotic courtroom drama par excellence rousing, emotional, and entertaining. It is a box-office winner. Though its opening has been average, strong word-of-mouth will propel collections upward, especially in multiplexes and urban markets. The film’s appeal may be relatively muted in smaller centres and single screens, but the overall business will be very good.
Box-office prognosis:
Solid word-of-mouth will ensure long legs. Business in cities and multiplexes will outshine single-screen centres. Ultimately, the film will emerge a clear winner.