Kesari Chapter 2 Director Defends Use Of F word In the film: 'It was very important for us…'

"Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh," starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Pandey, has been generating significant buzz since its release on April 18th. The period drama, based on the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, has garnered praise from both audiences and critics.

Directed by debutant Karan Singh Tyagi, this Karan Johar-backed film has sparked discussion about its inclusion of a controversial word. Tyagi, in a recent interview with Filmy Shilmy, defended the decision, explaining that the team consulted historians before adding the word, believing it was essential to the film's narrative.

It was very important for us to include the ‘f**k you’ in the film because, for us, the whole point was to look the British in the eye and say ‘f**k you’ for what they had done. That was the courage we imbibed from Sankaran Nair’s story, and it’s the same courage we wanted to depict

- Karan Singh Tyagi

Tyagi emphasized that the term, which has sparked controversy, actually originated in the 16th century. The team, he stated, meticulously researched the historical context, consulted with historians, and conducted thorough background checks before incorporating the phrase into the film.

Akshay Kumar, known for his outspoken nature, also addressed the use of the expletive in the teaser, highlighting the significance of his character, C Sankaran Nair, in the film. The actor revealed, “Yes, I used that word. But what’s surprising is that you noticed this, yet the phrase ‘you are still a slave’ wasn’t seen as a major insult? I think there’s no greater insult than that."

He further added, “I would have been happier if you had pointed out the use of the word ‘slave’ rather than focusing on ‘f**k you,’" explaining his thoughts on the harsh phrases in the movie.

The courtroom drama, "Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh," produced by Cape of Good Films, Leo Media Collective, and Dharma Productions, takes us back to the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.