BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN
Kesari Chapter 2 is not just a film, it’s a bold retelling of a forgotten courtroom battle that changed the course of history. Unlike traditional war movies, this isn’t about bullets and bloodshed on a battlefield. This is the story of a legal fight, waged in British India’s courtroom by a man who once served the Empire, C. Shankaran Nair.
Inspired by real events following the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Kesari 2 brings to screen the only known instance of an Indian winning a legal case against the British Crown. At the heart of the story is Shankaran Nair, portrayed by Akshay Kumar, a knighted barrister and the sole Indian member of the Viceroy’s Council, very much “one of them.”
Early in the film, Nair is called upon to prosecute a revolutionary Sikh, a case stacked against justice. He wins, and the Sikh man is jailed. But before leaving the courtroom, the man tells him: “You’re a good lawyer, but fighting for the wrong side.” The words haunt Nair, becoming the spark that ignites his transformation from royal loyalist to rebel advocate.
This incident set off a chain of events that dramatically altered Shankaran Nair’s course. He was appointed as the sole Indian member of a British-appointed committee tasked with reviewing General Dyer’s actions at Jallianwala Bagh. As he witnessed firsthand the systemic injustice, the tragic suicide of a young massacre survivor, and found encouragement from the idealistic young lawyer Dilreet Gill (played by Ananya Panday), the spark of doubt turned into a burning resolve. But what struck hardest was a personal humiliation: despite his knighthood and high status, Nair was denied access to a restroom bearing the sign, “Dogs and Indians not allowed.” That moment shattered any illusion of equality under British rule. Stripped of dignity, he realized that no title could shield him from racism. It wasn’t just a political awakening, it became deeply personal. This growing fire led him to file a historic case against General Dyer. Though Dyer was never criminally punished, the case led to his dismissal and removal from India, a rare instance of accountability during the British Raj.
Akshay Kumar plays Nair with quiet intensity and measured conviction, marking a powerful comeback for the actor who had been grappling with a string of forgettable releases. In an unexpected move, Kumar drops an unapologetic “f*** you” in the courtroom scene, a moment that earned the film an ‘A’ certificate from the Indian censor board. But as director Tyagi explains, the phrase was essential to the raw emotion of the script. Sanitizing it would have diluted the gravity of the moment.
While Akshay commands attention in every scene, Kesari Chapter 2 belongs to its entire ensemble. R. Madhavan stars as Neville McKinley, an Anglo-Indian barrister representing the Crown. With his recent string of negative roles in Shaitaan and The Test, Madhavan brings a calculated intensity and internal conflict to McKinley, refusing to be overshadowed even beside a superstar like Akshay.
Simon Paisley Day delivers a terrifyingly precise performance as General Reginald Dyer, the man responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His chilling portrayal adds emotional weight to every scene in which he appears. Regina Cassandra plays Palat Kunhimalu Amma, Nair’s steadfast wife, and brings warmth and composure to the film’s more emotional beats. Amit Sial adds gravitas in a key supporting role, further rounding out a strong ensemble cast.
An unexpected highlight is Ananya Panday, who steps far outside her comfort zone. Known primarily for her glamorous, socialite roles, Panday surprises everyone with her role as Dilreet Gill, a grounded young lawyer who encourages Nair to challenge the British legally. It’s a breakthrough role for the actress and could very well redefine her career path.
The script is adapted from the book “The Case That Shook the Empire”, written by the Great Grandchildren of Shankaran Nair, by Pushpa Palat and Raghu Palat which was gifted to Karan Tyagi by a friend during his law school days. That very book started a chain reaction that brought the film to life, with support from co-writer Amritpal Singh Bindra and backing from Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar.
The movie is beautifully shot, with outdoor and indoor scenes filmed in the stunning colonial interiors of FRI (Forest Research Institute), Dehradun. The screenplay is tight and engaging, never letting your attention drift. Historical accuracy is handled with care, something that’s rarely done this well in mainstream cinema.
Patriotic songs add emotional depth, while a bold cabaret number, featuring Masaba Gupta, (daughter of actress Neena Gupta) offers a stylistic break. Some reviewers found the song jarring, but in context, it works as a narrative device to contrast the Indian struggle with British indulgence.
In the U.S., Kesari 2 has struck an emotional chord with audiences, especially among the Indian diaspora. At a screening covered by NRI Pulse, several viewers were visibly moved as they exited the theater. One audience member shared, “I visited Jallianwala Bagh 20 years ago, and this film brought all those painful memories flooding back.” A teenage Indian American viewer reflected, “I’m 100% sure kids from my generation don’t know this part of our history.” Another attendee, Rupesh, pointedly remarked, “This movie gives you a glimpse of the truth that they’re never going to say sorry.” Many Indian immigrants were left choked up, finding a deep, personal resonance with the film’s portrayal of colonial trauma.
Beyond retelling history, Kesari 2 underscores a haunting reality: to this day, the British government has never formally apologized for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, despite symbolic gestures from figures like Queen Elizabeth II and David Cameron.
While the film doesn’t explicitly mention it, history buffs will note a chilling footnote: in 1938, Mahatma Gandhi publicly forgave General Dyer, believing the man had suffered enough internally. That shocking reality, missing from many history books, underscores how deeply colonial narratives were internalized, even by those leading the freedom movement.
The film’s backing by Dharma Productions is another surprise. The studio, often criticized for promoting nepotism and struggling with serious cinema, finds redemption here. Karan Johar, whose production house has faced relentless trolling for favoring “nepo kids,” makes an unexpected yet commendable move by supporting a film as grounded, politically loaded, and non-glamorous as Kesari Chapter 2. The decision not only salvages Dharma’s credibility but proves that meaningful cinema can be both commercially viable and socially impactful.
While both Akshay Kumar’s Kesari 2 and Vicky Kaushal’s Sardar Udham draw from the same haunting chapter of history, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, they take distinct narrative routes. Kesari 2 centers on legal defiance, tracing Shankaran Nair’s courtroom battle against the British Crown. In contrast, Sardar Udham depicts a more direct form of resistance: the assassination of Michael O’Dwyer in London. O’Dwyer, then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, was a supporter of General Dyer and was celebrated in Britain for his role in “maintaining control” over colonial India. At one such public ceremony, Singh ended O’Dwyer’s life, delivering justice through the barrel of a gun. Different tools. Same cause.
What’s Next?
In a post-screening press conference, Akshay Kumar announced Kesari Chapter 3, which will spotlight the legendary Sikh warrior Hari Singh Nalwa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Khalsa Army. If this trajectory continues, each chapter may illuminate another unsung Punjabi hero.
Final Verdict
With standout performances, a truth-rooted script, and a timely message, the film serves as both a history lesson and a call to conscience. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the pen, the gavel, and in this case, a film, can be mightier than the sword.
