Kesari Chapter 2 Box Office Success
Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday’s Kesari Chapter 2 continues its strong box office run, collecting ₹42 crore in six days domestically and ₹64 crore worldwide. The film is backed by Karan Johar and is receiving positive trade reviews.
Kesari (2019) Movie Review, IMDb Rating, Audience Review, and Controversy
IMDb Rating:
Kesari holds a rating of 7.4/10 on IMDb, reflecting generally positive audience reception.
Audience Review:
Viewers praise Akshay Kumar’s performance and the film’s action sequences, especially in the second half. Many found the story inspiring and patriotic, highlighting the valor of the 21 Sikh soldiers at Saragarhi. However, some criticized the slow start, average screenplay, lack of chemistry between leads, and underdeveloped supporting characters. Editing and melodrama were also noted as weak points. Overall, audiences found it entertaining and a good watch, though not without flaws.
Controversy:
Critics on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes described Kesari as a “barely disguised propaganda vehicle” with excessive violence and a focus on chest-thumping patriotism. Some reviews argued that the film oversimplified history and relied too heavily on Akshay Kumar, neglecting other characters. The depiction of violence and the film’s nationalistic tone sparked debate about its approach to historical storytelling and representation
After the roaring success of Kesari (2019), Bollywood is ready to bring audiences back to the heart of India’s freedom struggle — not through the battlefield this time, but through the courtroom. Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is a historical legal drama set to hit theatres on April 18, 2025, and promises to reveal a lesser-known chapter of India’s fight for justice.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 2019 hit. But rather than focusing on military glory, this sequel centers on C. Sankaran Nair, a sharp-witted lawyer and nationalist who dared to challenge the British Empire after the tragic 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
A Story That Deserved to Be Told
Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film follows Nair’s legal battle against the British colonial regime, seeking accountability for the horrific massacre that claimed hundreds of innocent lives in Amritsar. The massacre, ordered by General Reginald Dyer, was a turning point in India’s independence movement, and this film dives deep into the ripple effects it caused at both national and international levels.
Akshay Kumar stars as Advocate Sankaran Nair, bringing his signature gravitas to the role. R. Madhavan plays Adv. Neville McKinley, a British ally who joins Nair’s quest for truth, while Ananya Panday portrays Dilreet Gill, a fiery young barrister making her mark in a man’s world. The film also features Regina Cassandra as Nair’s wife, Palat Kunhimalu Amma, Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer, Amit Sial, and Masaba Gupta in key roles.
From ‘Shankara’ to ‘Kesari Chapter 2’
The film was originally titled Shankara before being renamed Kesari Chapter 2 in February 2025 to establish a thematic continuity with its predecessor. It was officially announced on March 22 by Karan Johar, who is also part of the film’s producing team alongside Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari.
Filming India’s Painful Past
Principal photography began in November 2022 and wrapped in September 2024. Key scenes were shot across Mumbai, Alibag, and Delhi—including iconic sites like the Red Fort, Sunder Nursery, and Delhi University’s North Campus. A massive recreation of Jallianwala Bagh was constructed for crucial sequences, while parts of the film were also shot at the Rewari Junction railway station and IIT Roorkee.
Teaser, Trailer & Release
The official teaser dropped on March 24, 2025, followed by the trailer on April 3, launched during a grand event in Delhi. Initially scheduled for a March release, the film was pushed to April 18 to align more closely with the massacre’s anniversary.
What’s Next?
In an exciting revelation, Akshay Kumar confirmed the development of Kesari Chapter 3, which will explore the life of Hari Singh Nalwa, the legendary commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army.
Meanwhile, Kesari Chapter 2 is all set for its digital premiere on JioHotstar after its theatrical run.
In a cinematic landscape where history often gets glossed over, Kesari Chapter 2 brings a courtroom rebellion to life — reminding us that justice, too, was part of India’s battle for freedom.
