Review: 'Kesari Chapter 2' is a cinematic trial that shakes you to the core anchored by passionate acts

How often does a film not just entertain you but ignite a fire within? How often do you walk out of a cinema hall with your heart pounding, fists clenched, and your mind shaken? "Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh" is exactly that kind of film. It's not just a movie – it is an experience that forces you to witness, to question, to rage, and finally, to rise.

Directed by debutant Karan Singh Tyagi, this historical courtroom drama is not your everyday patriotic film. It doesn't scream nationalism with jingoistic chants or over-the-top heroism. No, this one is quiet, but fierce. It takes you back to 1919, right into the heart of colonial India, and unfolds a tale that many never truly knew. Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu and Pushpa Palat, the film focuses on the courageous journey of C. Sankaran Nair and his relentless legal battle to expose the truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

An Opening That Hits Like a Sledgehammer

Tyagi’s direction is remarkably confident for a debut. He knows his story, he respects his characters, and he delivers every frame with conviction. Yes, some scenes are dramatized for cinematic impact – but not once do they feel dishonest. The balance between facts, emotions, and storytelling is perfect. There is no overuse of nationalistic slogans, no chest-thumping speeches. Just raw truth, laid bare.

Over the course of its gripping 2-hour-15-minute runtime, the film doesn't just unfold—it roars to life at regular intervals, delivering moments of sheer cinematic electricity. There's a meticulous elegance with which the real-life events at the story's heart have been brought to the screen, handled not with the usual heavy-handed dramatics but with a surprising sense of restraint and emotional intelligence. Unlike typical commercial potboilers that lean heavily on high-octane stunts and exaggerated comedy to win applause, this narrative draws its strength from something far more potent: razor-sharp writing.

The dialogue doesn't just push the story forward; it charges it with purpose. Every word lands with weight, every pause feels deliberate. A war cry dressed in silk. It's these lines, penned with precision by Sumit Saxena, that carry the fire of the film.

The Massacre: Visceral, Haunting, and Unflinching

The film opens with a gut-wrenching depiction of the massacre on April 13, 1919. It doesn't shy away from the brutality. General Dyer (played chillingly by Simon Paisley Day) orders a massacre so cold, so calculated, it leaves you stunned. Women, children, elders – all gunned down without warning. The camera doesn't flinch. It captures the horror in graphic yet respectful detail – the piles of blood-soaked bodies, the lifeless eyes, the haunting silence after the bullets stop. And just when you think your heart can’t take more, the emotional wreckage begins.

Amidst this nightmare, we meet Kirpal Singh’s son, who watches his family die in front of him. His trauma becomes the moral trigger that propels the story forward. When Dyer is let go without consequences, he can’t take it. His tragic suicide becomes the unspoken scream of every Indian heartbroken by the injustice.

Enter the Knight: Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair

Enter Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair, a knighted lawyer once loyal to the British Crown. His introduction scene, a mesmerizing Kathak performance with him in a godly avatar, face painted green, sends shivers down your spine. This is not just a character entrance; it’s a statement. A man of law, faith, and fire, ready to challenge the empire.

Akshay Kumar fits into Nair’s shoes like they were made for him. His transformation from a British loyalist to a truth-seeker is one of the most powerful arcs. His eyes, his silence, his fury – all speak volumes. And when he walks into the courtroom with evidence in hand, head held high, there's no looking back.

Akshay delivers monologues that pierce through your soul, you feel it. The rage, the helplessness, the pride. When he finally exposes the lies, not through shouting but through sheer logic and evidence, you don’t just watch history being made – you feel like you're part of it.

Courtroom Confrontations: Where Truth Meets Power

The courtroom drama is where the film finds its real soul. It's gritty, it's tight, and it’s unbelievably emotional. R. Madhavan, as the eloquent and slightly eccentric opposing counsel Neville McKinley, gives the perfect balance to Akshay’s composed storm. Their verbal duels aren’t just legal arguments; they’re ideological wars. Every question, every objection, every rebuttal leaves you breathless. And Nair’s patriotism, never loud but always piercing, makes you want to stand and salute.

The Women Who Hold Their Own

Ananya Panday, as Dilreet Kaur, surprises with her measured and mature performance. Gone are the days of bubblegum roles. Here, she plays a fierce co-counsel, one who knows the law, knows the pain, and knows her purpose. Her presence in the courtroom and beyond is powerful and graceful, and her dialogue delivery packs a punch.

Regina Cassandra brings quiet strength as Nair’s wife, Palat Kunhimalu Amma. She adds emotional grounding to Nair’s turbulent journey.

A Supporting Cast That Delivers

Amit Sial as the secretary to the Viceroy brings just the right amount of sly intelligence to keep the British side interesting. Alexx O'Nell as Lord Chelmsford brings the colonial arrogance to life effortlessly. Simon Paisley Day is utterly loathsome as Dyer – and that’s a testament to how convincing his performance is.

Cinematogrphy and Sound

The film isn’t just about performances. It's about the atmosphere. The production design is exceptional. The streets of Amritsar, the blood-stained grounds of Jallianwala, the grand yet oppressive colonial courts, and even the lavish Viceroy’s parties – all recreated with an authenticity that never feels staged. The cinematography complements the story beautifully, capturing the pain, the rage, the stillness, and the roar of resistance. Some scenes, especially the one where Nair visits the massacre site while "Teri Mitti" plays in the background, are crafted so beautifully, they stay with you long after the film ends.

Speaking of music, the soundtrack deserves a standing ovation. The repurposed version of "Teri Mitti" is nothing short of haunting. New tracks like "Oh Shera" and "Kithe Gaya Tu Saaiyaan" tug at your soul. They aren’t just songs; they’re emotions set to music. The background score throughout the courtroom scenes heightens the tension without ever overwhelming the drama.

What sets "Kesari Chapter 2" apart is its integrity. It tells a story most Indians have never heard – the legal battle that questioned the might of the British Empire. It’s not just about the massacre; it’s about the aftermath, the denial, the cover-up, and the courage it took to say, "This is not justice." The film is not without flaws. The British characters speaking Hindi might feel odd at times. But these are minor bumps in an otherwise smooth, emotionally charged ride. The drama in the scenes may also feel that it's amped up a little too much, but then you need the commercialization to not make it look like a documentary.

Verdict

"Kesari Chapter 2" isn’t just a film. It’s a tribute. To the lives lost. To the ones who fought. To the ones who chose truth over comfort. It is a story of courage, of awakening, and above all, of justice. A film that should not only be watched, but remembered.

So, if you ever felt the need to understand what that one horrific day in 1919 meant for India, if you ever wanted to witness how law can become a weapon of truth, and if you ever doubted cinema’s ability to stir your soul – go watch "Kesari Chapter 2."

And prepare to be shaken, stirred, and forever changed.

4/5 stars