Kesari Chapter 2 review: Akshay Kumar’s hard-hitting courtroom drama will leave every Indian fuming

How difficult is it to say SORRY? We have been demanding an apology for 106 years, and we didn’t even know. But that’s how cinema, as a medium, helps us discover the facts about our independence, our history, and what our people went through on 13 April 1919. Karan Singh Tyagi, writer and director of Kesari Chapter 2, makes a promising debut by presenting the historic event, the bloody Baisakhi, in a way that’s easy to understand. He brings to light one of the most overlooked chapters in the fight for freedom: the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Every sequence shown in Kesari 2 is designed to evoke emotion, be it pride, anger, or tears. It is powerful to watch Sir C. Shankaran Nair (played by Akshay Kumar), a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, stand up against General Reginald Dyer, the former British colonial official and then-Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. For the unversed, Dyer was the one who ordered the killing of over 1,000 peaceful protesters during a demonstration at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab.

Akshay Kumar as C. Shankaran Nair roars. When it comes to courtroom dramas Jolly LLB series, he delivers nuanced and compelling performances. In the film, the monologue in the last 20 minutes was genuinely gut-wrenching. It forces you to confront the sheer brutality of the British Raj and how far they went to erase and justify horrors like Jallianwala Bagh. Akshay proves with his performance that history doesn’t whisper, it thunders.

Ananya Panday, as Dilreet Gill, is the surprise package and delivers an extremely credible performance. She even has a monologue that we didn’t expect. The outstanding R. Madhavan, in his villain era after Shaitaan and Test, now shines in Kesari 2 as Neville McKinley, adding a spark to the film.

Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer is perfectly cast, he brings just the right mix of menace and recklessness to portray a ruthless officer hiding behind the facade of authority. Amit Sial and the rest of the ensemble cast also deliver solid performances in their respective roles.

The narrative of Kesari 2 is fast-paced, and the background score is impactful. The first powerful song, ‘O Shera – Teer Te Taj,’ composed by Sangtar and written by Sukhwinder Amrit, hits hard. It’s performed by the soulful trio of Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer, and Sangtar. Additionally, the use of the song ‘Teri Mitti’ is a masterstroke.

Verdict:

A particular sub-plot in first half could have been shorter, but the climax evokes goosebumps, making up for the minute shortcoming in narrative. Kesari Chapter 2 is a powerful film that brings to light the harsh realities Indians faced under British rule, especially the horrors of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It does a great job showing the struggles of that time, how the British tried to silence the press, and how people fought back through the courts and media.

It’s a bit disappointing that the film received an ‘A’ certificate because this is something kids, families, and young people should definitely watch. It’s an important piece of our history told in a way that hits home.

Rating: 3.5

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