‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh’ is a sincerely mounted historical drama that revisits one of colonial India's darkest moments. The film attempts to shed light on lesser-known aspects of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, balancing emotional resonance with courtroom intensity.
While the first half serves as a foundation—introducing the political backdrop, the socio-cultural climate, and the individuals complicit in the tragedy—the latter half unfolds as a gripping legal drama. Anchored by the defiant C Sankaran Nair, the film stays focused on its central conflict. Unlike many films that wander into unnecessary subplots, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ resists that temptation, maintaining a clear narrative purpose that enhances its emotional and intellectual impact.
From celebration to carnage
The story opens with the devastating massacre on Baisakhi Day, when British forces under General Dyer fired upon a crowd of unarmed civilians in Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh, killing hundreds. These civilians had gathered not only to celebrate the festival but also to peacefully oppose the draconian Rowlatt Act, a law granting sweeping powers to the colonial government to detain individuals without trial. The film quickly shifts focus to C Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), a prominent lawyer and firm believer in the British legal system.
He initially lends legitimacy to the Empire by prosecuting Kripal Singh, a professor accused of inciting violence. His legal prowess earns him a place on the Viceroy Commission and a knighthood. However, the arrival of Dilreet (Ananya Pandey), a young law student determined to hold General Dyer accountable, sets a new legal and emotional trajectory. Encounters with Pargat, Kripal Singh’s son, and later with Dilreet herself, challenge Nair’s faith in the Empire and inspire a moral reckoning. This transformation sets the stage for a courtroom battle where Nair must confront both a powerful legal opponent, McKinley (Madhavan), and his own past allegiances.
Strong performances anchor the narrative
Akshay Kumar delivers one of his more subdued and controlled performances as Sankaran Nair. Refraining from his usual flair for theatrics, Kumar brings quiet authority to the role, reflecting a man torn between loyalty and conscience. Ananya Pandey surprises in her portrayal of Dilreet, offering a grounded performance that peaks during her intense courtroom cross-examination scene. R. Madhavan—though he enters the narrative a bit late—manages to make a significant impression. His character exudes a kind of calculated menace and confidence, fitting for someone whose primary objective is to see Sankaran discredited. Amit Sial plays Tirath Singh with restraint, though the writing gives his character little room to evolve. Regina Cassandra, in the role of Nair’s wife Parvathy, is underused.
Promising directorial debut
What keeps ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ consistently engaging is its taut screenplay and the strength of its performances. It draws on a real legal case that’s seldom discussed, adding a layer of novelty to what could have otherwise been a familiar tale. Adapted from the book ‘The Case That Shook the Empire: One Man’s Fight for the Truth About the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre’ by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film introduces audiences to historical details that are both enlightening and disturbing. Director Karan Singh Tyagi, making his feature debut, demonstrates a steady hand with the material. Known previously for series like the underrated ‘Kaalkoot’ and ‘Bandish Bandits,’ Tyagi proves capable of handling weighty subject matter without losing narrative momentum. His ability to extract measured performances and keep the film anchored in its legal drama is commendable, even if his visual choices sometimes err on the side of gloss.
Where does it falter?
Yet, the film is not without its flaws. Despite claiming to be rooted in truth, it often indulges in visual excess. The recreation of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, while chilling in parts, leans heavily on dramatization rather than evoking genuine horror. The film’s slick presentation, though appealing, detracts from the historical severity of the subject. A grittier, more restrained treatment—akin to Shoojit Sircar’s ‘Sardar Udham’—would have done greater justice to the material. Still, for all its stylistic missteps, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ remains an important cinematic attempt. It engages with a significant, if painful, chapter in India’s colonial history and introduces audiences to the legal fight that followed one of the country’s most infamous atrocities.
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Ananya Pandey, R Madhavan, and Amit Sial
Director: Karan Singh Tyagi
Rating: 3.5/5
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