Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025) Movie Filmy4wap
Kesari Chapter 2 – The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language historical courtroom drama directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film stars Akshay, R. Madhavan as Advocate, and Ananya as law student Dilreet. Released on April 18, 2025, the movie revisits a pivotal yet often ignored moment in India’s freedom struggle.
| Movie Title: | Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh |
| Release Date: | 17 Apr 2025 |
| Runtime: | 2h 15m |
| Director: | Karan Singh Tyagi |
| Genres: | Drama, History |
| Rating: | 7.7/10 star |
| Starring: | Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday |
| Production Company: | Prudent Village, Cape Of Good Films |
| Lead Actor: | Akshay Kumar |
Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the movie follows Justice Nair’s brave legal battle against the British Empire after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. With a runtime of 135 minutes and a powerful soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth, the film brings together history, law, and patriotism in a gripping narrative.
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh Cast
| Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| R. Madhavan | Neville McKinley |
| Amit Sial | |
| Sammy Jonas Heaney | Harold Laksi |
| Akshay Kumar | Chettur Sankaran Nair |
| Rohan Verma | Jaan-Nisar-Akhtar |
| Alexx O’Nell | |
| Ananya Panday | Dilreet Gill |
| Mark Bennington | Michael O’Dwyer |
| Simon Paisley Day | General Reginald Dyer |
| Regina Cassandra |
Plot Overview
Set during colonial India, Kesari Chapter 2 tells the story of Justice C. Sankaran Nair, a highly respected Indian lawyer who uncovers the horrifying truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Tasked by the British to investigate the incident, he courageously sues The Crown and General Dyer for the atrocities committed.
With the help of Pargat Singh (played by Krish Rao) and an ambitious law student Dilreet Gill (Ananya Panday), Nair goes head-to-head against Neville McKinley (R. Madhavan), an Anglo-Indian lawyer determined to defend the British government. The film captures the intense courtroom battles, hidden truths, and the rise of a new spirit of resistance among Indians.
Cast Performances
- Akshay Kumar shines in his role as Justice Nair, portraying strength, dignity, and moral courage.
- R. Madhavan delivers a strong performance as the complex and layered antagonist Neville McKinley.
- Ananya Panday impresses with her portrayal of the determined law student Dilreet Gill.
- Regina Cassandra adds emotional support as Parvathy Nair, Sankaran’s wife.
- Simon Paisley Day convincingly plays the cold-hearted General Dyer.
The supporting cast including Alexx O’Nell, Amit Sial, and Vicky Kaushal (as the narrator) bring authenticity to the story.
Direction and Cinematography
Director Karan Singh Tyagi brings a sense of realism and tension to every courtroom scene, ensuring the film stays true to historical events. The cinematography by Debojeet Ray beautifully captures both the horror of the massacre and the grandeur of the British courtrooms. Editor Nitin Baid maintains a tight narrative, keeping the audience engaged without unnecessary drag.
Music and Soundtrack
The music, composed by Shashwat Sachdev and Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth, blends well with the movie’s emotional tones.
- The first song “O Shera – Teer Te Taj” became popular upon release.
- “Kithe Gaya Tu Saaiyaan” added a soft emotional touch to the film’s background.
The soundtrack effectively supports the movie’s powerful moments without overpowering the storytelling.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Kesari Chapter 2 received a mixed but generally positive response:
- Bollywood Hungama rated it 3.5/5, appreciating its hard-hitting courtroom scenes.
- India Today also gave it 3.5/5, applauding the balanced storytelling.
- Hindustan Times rated it 4/5, praising Akshay Kumar’s performance.
- Mint was more critical, pointing out that the movie missed some potential.
- Rotten Tomatoes has a 50% approval rating from critics.
Overall, critics acknowledged the movie’s strong performances but felt the storytelling could have been even sharper.
Public and Celebrity Reactions
The general public had mixed feelings. Many praised the film for bringing a forgotten story to light and admired Akshay Kumar’s performance. However, some viewers felt the film was too dramatized at times.
Celebrities like Rana Daggubati called it a “powerful and important film.” Meanwhile, critic Umair Sandhu was not impressed, rating it 2/5 and criticizing its predictable storytelling and casting choices.
The film had a production budget of around ₹150 crore and has so far grossed approximately ₹117.96 crore. While it opened well, its momentum slowed down due to mixed reviews and its ‘A’ rating limiting family audiences.
There was a controversy regarding the alleged plagiarism of a poem used in a courtroom speech by Ananya Panday’s character. Poet Yahya Bootwala accused the filmmakers, but the matter was settled amicably.
Sequel Announcement
Following the film’s success, Akshay Kumar confirmed Kesari Chapter 3 is in the works. The sequel will focus on Hari Singh Nalwa, the first commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj, continuing the theme of celebrating unsung Indian heroes.
Conclusion
Kesari Chapter 2 is a bold attempt to highlight a crucial part of India’s history. Although the film has its flaws, especially in dramatization, it stands out for its powerful performances, strong courtroom scenes, and emotional depth. If you enjoy historical dramas with real courtroom battles and inspiring stories, this film is definitely worth a watch.
