BOTTOM LINE
Patriotism Packed in a Courtroom Drama
RATING
3/5
CENSOR
A, 2h 14m
What Is the Film About?
Advocate Sankaran Nair, a key member of the Viceroy’s Council, remains staunchly loyal to the British Crown in his professional tenure—until the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre changes everything. Branded as terrorists, thousands of innocent civilians are slaughtered in cold blood, shaking Nair to his core. As the truth unfolds, he joins forces with a young advocate, Dilreet Gill, determined to hold the British accountable for what they believe to be an act of genocide.
Performances
Akshay Kumar has always been a perfect foil for plot-driven sagas that have no space for flabby distractions. In the shoes of Sankaran Nair, the seasoned actor delivers a classy performance – his subtle humour, ease with dialogue delivery help him immensely. Ananya Panday, without doubt, is steadily finding her rhythm as a performer, and her portrayal of Dilreet is a firm indicator of her evolution.
While there aren’t many complaints with Madhavan’s performance, his character Neville, is among the weaklings in the writing, perhaps limiting its impact. Simon Paisley Day in an act largely driven by his histrionic talents is quite impressive. Regina Cassandra is a picture of grace, albeit in a brief role. Amit Sial, as the British loyalist Tirath Singh, brings nuance and mystery to his performance. Krish Rao is a revelation as Pargat Singh, with Jaipreet Singh adding grace to his performance as Kirpal Singh.
Analysis
Multiple interpretations of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh tragedy have emerged in recent years across diverse formats. While Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham Singh presented it as a gripping revenge drama (centred around Governor Dwyer’s assassination), Ram Madhvani’s The Waking of a Nation took a semi-fictional approach, exploring the events surrounding the Hunter Commission’s inquiry.
This week’s release, Kesari Chapter 2, personalises the narrative through the lens of Advocate Sankaran Nair, who boldly challenged the British establishment over the massacre and the officials responsible for the mass killings. It’s a layered tale, chronicling the dramatic transformation of a man once favoured by the Crown, who now seeks justice for the atrocities committed.
The film, an adaptation of the book The Case That Shook The Empire, succeeds in building a strong emotional foundation, notably through the story of 13-year-old Pargat, whose father, Kripal Singh, is imprisoned, while his mother and sister perish in the massacre. The raw honesty of Pargat’s activism compels Sankaran Nair to reconsider his loyalty to the British Empire.
Through Nair’s journey, the audience is made to relive the horror of the massacre and reflect on the sacrifices that fuelled India’s freedom struggle. As the legal drama unfolds, the film explores the complex challenges Nair faces in trying to prove the incident as genocide, delving into the political, psychological, and ideological underpinnings of General Dyer’s actions.
Dyer’s volatile temperament and insecurity over the growing momentum of the independence movement are cited as primary drivers behind his questionable decisions, such as the unprecedented Hindu-Muslim unity during the Sri Rama Navami festival, and the widespread support for activists Satyapal and Kitchlew, which led to the protest gathering at Jallianwala Bagh.
Kesari Chapter 2 captures the arrogance of the imperial mindset with precision, especially in its depiction of General Dyer. As expected, the narrative is peppered with provocative one-liners to heighten the drama. One such moment—a verbal jibe about the ‘shrinking empire’ during a toilet-room banter between Nair and Dyer—feels crass and unnecessary.
While the courtroom proceedings are portrayed in broad strokes and often favour character moments over legal rigour, the arguments retain enough emotional depth and urgency to keep the story moving. Dilreet Gill’s vivacity and firmness, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated legal arena, bring a compelling edge to the courtroom exchanges.
However, the film slightly loses its footing post-intermission when the conflict is reduced to a personal duel—Sankaran Nair versus Neville McKinley (Akshay Kumar versus Madhavan). What begins as a nation-versus-empire narrative slips into a professional rivalry, casting McKinley more as an ego-driven adversary than a convincing ideological opponent.
The writing relies on simplicity and emotional accessibility, prioritising sentiment over subtlety to appeal to a broader audience. Yet, the film regains lost ground through a striking subplot: an Indian student is falsely accused of rape, and the case is manipulated to justify the firing on unarmed protestors. The twist brings urgency and injustice to the forefront.
The climax is impactful—Nair risks his career to ensure the truth is exposed, while Dilreet declines a marriage proposal to continue aiding him. The emotional payoff feels well-earned.
A deeper dive into Nair’s cultural roots would have added richness—mentions of Kalaripayattu and Kathakali remain superficial. Likewise, McKinley’s character arc feels hurried and underexplored. Still, the legal battle led by Sankaran Nair and Dilreet Gill holds enough grit and complexity to make Kesari Chapter 2 an engaging, emotionally resonant courtroom drama.
Patriotism and empathy for humankind are the core emotions driving Kesari Chapter 2, also complemented by the taut legal drama and impressive performances. It entertains, educates and informs.
Music and Other Departments?
Shashwat Sachdev’s music – both the songs and the busy background score – brings an undeniable richness and authenticity to the setting. The top-notch production design, classy costumes come alive tastefully through cinematographer Debojeet Ray’s lens. The 135-minute runtime is perfect – it gives time for a viewer to breathe and knows how to alter its tone to suit the needs of the story.
Highlights?
Riveting screenplay
Strong performances
Authenticity in the setting, emotional connect
Drawbacks?
Oversimplification of the legal aspects
The focus on individuals rather than the case
Madhavan’s role
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Certainly, it’s a perfect mix of patriotism, thrills and drama
Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review by M9
