Genre: Drama/Historical-Drama
Release Date: 2025
Language: Hindi
Plot
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh follows the powerful and inspiring journey of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent Indian lawyer, statesman, and member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council during British colonial rule. In the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre—where British troops under General Reginald Dyer brutally opened fire on thousands of unarmed Indian civilians—Nair is tasked by the British authorities to lead an official inquiry into the incident, expecting a report that justifies their actions.
However, as Nair investigates deeper, he is confronted with horrifying truths about the massacre and the scale of the British Empire’s cruelty. His conscience compels him to defy expectations, and instead of submitting a sanitized report, he decides to take a historic and unprecedented step—suing the British Crown and General Dyer for crimes against humanity.
Determined to seek justice, Nair launches a bold legal battle in the heart of the Empire. He is supported by Pargat Singh, a passionate young revolutionary, and Dilreet Gill, an idealistic law student driven by a deep sense of patriotism. Together, they challenge a system built to suppress truth, facing intimidation, manipulation, and political pressure.
Opposing Nair in court is Neville McKinley, a sharp and cunning Anglo-Indian lawyer with personal and political motives to defend the Crown. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the case becomes more than just a legal battle—it becomes a symbolic resistance against colonial oppression, exposing the British Empire’s efforts to silence Indian voices and rewrite history.
Nair’s fight reignites the spark of nationalism across India, inspiring countless others to rise against injustice. Kesari Chapter 2 captures not just a courtroom fight, but a moral revolution, shedding light on a lesser-known yet pivotal chapter of India’s freedom struggle.
Production
Development
The film was originally titled Shankara, but in February 2025, it was retitled Kesari Chapter 2 to establish a thematic continuity with Kesari (2019). The project was officially announced by Karan Johar on 22 March 2025. Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film narrates the life and courtroom battle of C. Sankaran Nair, a courageous Indian barrister who challenged the British Raj following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre — a brutal killing of thousands of unarmed Indian civilians in Amritsar in 1919. While rooted in historical events, the film also introduces fictional elements for narrative impact; the character of Advocate Neville McKinley, for instance, is an amalgamation of ten different historical personalities.
Casting
Akshay Kumar plays the lead role of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent lawyer and member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Regina Cassandra joins the film as his on-screen partner, marking her first collaboration with Kumar. Ananya Panday and R. Madhavan were also brought on board for pivotal roles, adding depth and generational contrast to the ensemble cast.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in November 2022 with Akshay Kumar. R. Madhavan joined the shoot in January 2023. Production later shifted to Mumbai in mid-2023, where a large-scale replica of the Jallianwala Bagh was constructed. Additional key scenes featuring Kumar and Panday were filmed on the campus of IIT Roorkee. The next filming schedule took place in Alibag. Important portions of the film were also shot at the Rewari Junction railway station and Rewari Railway Heritage Museum, as well as across iconic locations in Delhi, including the Red Fort, Sunder Nursery, and the North Campus of Delhi University. Filming concluded by September 2024.
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh
Plot
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh follows the powerful and inspiring journey of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent Indian lawyer, statesman, and member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council during British colonial rule. In the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre—where British troops under General Reginald Dyer brutally opened fire on thousands of unarmed Indian civilians—Nair is tasked by the British authorities to lead an official inquiry into the incident, expecting a report that justifies their actions.
However, as Nair investigates deeper, he is confronted with horrifying truths about the massacre and the scale of the British Empire’s cruelty. His conscience compels him to defy expectations, and instead of submitting a sanitized report, he decides to take a historic and unprecedented step—suing the British Crown and General Dyer for crimes against humanity.
Determined to seek justice, Nair launches a bold legal battle in the heart of the Empire. He is supported by Pargat Singh, a passionate young revolutionary, and Dilreet Gill, an idealistic law student driven by a deep sense of patriotism. Together, they challenge a system built to suppress truth, facing intimidation, manipulation, and political pressure.
Opposing Nair in court is Neville McKinley, a sharp and cunning Anglo-Indian lawyer with personal and political motives to defend the Crown. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the case becomes more than just a legal battle—it becomes a symbolic resistance against colonial oppression, exposing the British Empire’s efforts to silence Indian voices and rewrite history.
Nair’s fight reignites the spark of nationalism across India, inspiring countless others to rise against injustice. Kesari Chapter 2 captures not just a courtroom fight, but a moral revolution, shedding light on a lesser-known yet pivotal chapter of India’s freedom struggle.
Production
Development
The film was originally titled Shankara, but in February 2025, it was retitled Kesari Chapter 2 to establish a thematic continuity with Kesari (2019). The project was officially announced by Karan Johar on 22 March 2025. Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film narrates the life and courtroom battle of C. Sankaran Nair, a courageous Indian barrister who challenged the British Raj following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre — a brutal killing of thousands of unarmed Indian civilians in Amritsar in 1919. While rooted in historical events, the film also introduces fictional elements for narrative impact; the character of Advocate Neville McKinley, for instance, is an amalgamation of ten different historical personalities.
Casting
Akshay Kumar plays the lead role of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent lawyer and member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Regina Cassandra joins the film as his on-screen partner, marking her first collaboration with Kumar. Ananya Panday and R. Madhavan were also brought on board for pivotal roles, adding depth and generational contrast to the ensemble cast.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in November 2022 with Akshay Kumar. R. Madhavan joined the shoot in January 2023. Production later shifted to Mumbai in mid-2023, where a large-scale replica of the Jallianwala Bagh was constructed. Additional key scenes featuring Kumar and Panday were filmed on the campus of IIT Roorkee. The next filming schedule took place in Alibag. Important portions of the film were also shot at the Rewari Junction railway station and Rewari Railway Heritage Museum, as well as across iconic locations in Delhi, including the Red Fort, Sunder Nursery, and the North Campus of Delhi University. Filming concluded by September 2024.
Marketing
The marketing campaign for Kesari Chapter 2 began with the release of the teaser on 24 March 2025, generating significant buzz with its intense visuals and patriotic tone. This was followed by the official trailer, released on 3 April 2025, which gave audiences a deeper glimpse into the courtroom drama and the historic weight of C. Sankaran Nair’s fight against the British Empire. The trailer was launched during a grand event held in Delhi on the same day, attended by the cast and crew, along with prominent figures from the film and political circles.
Release
Theatrical
Kesari Chapter 2 was originally scheduled for a 14 March 2025 theatrical release. However, to align with the historical context and honor the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the film was eventually released on 18 April 2025, marking the 106th anniversary of the tragedy.
Home Media
The digital streaming rights were acquired by JioHotstar, making the film available for online viewing after its theatrical run.
Reception
Kesari Chapter 2 received a mixed-to-positive response from critics, praised for its performances and themes but critiqued for certain commercial elements.
- On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 50% rating based on 12 critic reviews.
- Bollywood Hungama gave it 3.5/5, calling it a “hard-hitting courtroom drama” and praising the storytelling and performances, though it noted that the adult certification could impact its box office run.
- Rishi Jogani (Pinkvilla) wrote, “Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-watch for its gripping courtroom drama, stellar performances, and unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in history.” He criticized the loud score but praised the film’s emotional second half and music.
- Vineeta Kumar (India Today) rated it 3.5/5, appreciating its balance between drama and historical sensitivity, noting bold choices like a courtroom use of the F-word and discussions on Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Lachmi Deb Roy (Firstpost) gave the film a high 4/5, calling it “a powerful and immensely engaging movie” that honors the legacy of Sankaran Nair.
- Shubhra Gupta (The Indian Express) was more reserved with 2.5/5, describing it as a film made for its time, infused with patriotic fervor.
- Anuj Kumar (The Hindu) was highly critical, accusing the film of distorting history and using real events as the basis for a dramatized, fictional narrative.
- Rishabh Suri (Hindustan Times) rated the film 4/5, commending Akshay Kumar’s performance and the strength of the writing.
- Uday Bhatia (Mint) gave a negative review, saying the film fails to do justice to the real story of Nair, calling it “buried under piles of nonsense.”
- Titas Chowdhury (News18) rated it 3.5/5, praising Akshay Kumar for stepping away from his star image and focusing on pure acting.
Controversy
The film faced backlash when poet and YouTuber Yahya Bootwala accused the makers of plagiarizing one of his poems. He alleged that a key courtroom speech delivered by the character Dilreet Gill on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was lifted directly from his work without permission. The controversy sparked discussions online about intellectual property and the responsibilities of filmmakers when drawing from artistic sources.
Sequel
Following the release and audience interest, a third installment was officially confirmed in April 2025. Titled Kesari Chapter 3, the sequel will shift focus to another iconic historical figure—Hari Singh Nalwa, the legendary general and commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The project was announced by Akshay Kumar and Deepak Rao Capour, and it is expected to further expand the Kesari cinematic universe, blending history with dramatized narratives of heroism and resistance.
