Released on April 18, 2025, coinciding with the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, “Kesari Chapter 2” delves into a pivotal yet often overlooked episode of India’s struggle for independence. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, the film is a spiritual successor to the 2019 hit “Kesari.”
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Kesari Chapter 2 Plot Overview
“Kesari Chapter 2” is based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. The narrative centers around C. Sankaran Nair, a distinguished lawyer and statesman who courageously challenged the British Raj in the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The film portrays Nair’s relentless pursuit of justice, highlighting his legal battle against British authorities to expose the truth behind the massacre.
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Cast and Characters
- Akshay Kumar as Justice C. Sankaran Nair
- R. Madhavan as Advocate Neville McKinley
- Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill
- Regina Cassandra as Parvathy Nair, Nair’s wife
- Simon Paisley Day as General Reginald Dyer
- Alexx O’Nell as Lord Chelmsford
- Amit Sial as Tirath Singh
- Mark Bennington as Michael O’Dwyer
- Sammy Jonas Heaney as Harold Laski
- Steven Hartley as Judge McArdie
- Krish Rao as Pargat Singh
- Rohan Verma as Jaan Nisar
- Alexandra Moloney as Martha Stevens
- Jaipreet Singh as Kirpal Singh
- Luke Kenny as Appeal Court Judge
- Atul Kumar as Crown’s Lawyer
- Masaba Gupta in a cameo as a dancer in the song “Khumaari”
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Music and Soundtrack
The film’s soundtrack is a collaborative effort between composers Shashwat Sachdev and the duo Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth, with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil. The music blends traditional Indian melodies with contemporary arrangements, enhancing the film’s emotional depth.
Key Tracks:
- “O Shera – Teer Te Taj”: Released on April 12, 2025, this powerful track is a recreation of the 2020 song “Teer Te Taj,” originally associated with the Indian farmers’ protest. The song has been praised for its stirring composition and evocative lyrics.
- “Kithe Gaya Tu Saaiyaan”: Released on April 14, 2025, this soulful ballad explores themes of longing and separation, resonating with the film’s emotional narrative.
Production Insights
Initially titled “Shankara,” the film was rebranded as “Kesari Chapter 2” in February 2025 to establish a thematic connection with the original “Kesari” film. This strategic renaming aimed to broaden the film’s appeal by linking it to the earlier success.
Principal photography commenced in November 2022, with significant portions filmed in Mumbai, where a large-scale set replicating Jallianwala Bagh was constructed. Additional sequences featuring Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday were shot at IIT Roorkee, adding authenticity to the film’s setting.
Kesar Chapter 2 Release and Reception
“Kesari Chapter 2” was released in theaters on April 18, 2025, aligning with the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The film has been lauded for shedding light on a significant yet underrepresented episode in India’s freedom struggle, with particular praise for its performances, direction, and musical score.
