Kesari Chapter 2 review: All roar, no core in this courtroom circus

Director: Karan Singh Tyagi

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Madhavan, Ananya Panday, Simon Paisly Day, Regina Cassandra

He plays Malayali lawyer Sankaran Nair, who dares to take on the British Crown and General Reginald Dyer, the man responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. Nair accuses Dyer of genocide, and the film chronicles his courtroom theatrics and legal crusade with more flair than nuance.

 

 

Apologise. For the killings. For attempting to hide it. For not taking the responsibility. For glorifying a genocide. And for having a brooding sense of entitlement for over 100 years. Apologise. ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ makes you demand the apology India should have received in court in 1919 when C Shankaran Nair sued the British Empire for causing a genocide at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13 the same year

 

 

 

Indians are brilliant at many things. But, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ shows that we are also unbeatable when it comes to asking the right questions to the right people using the right medium – cinema. It might have taken us 106 years to wake up since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre painted our Baisakhi red, but that’s not the moot point. The bigger question is – why have the British not apologised to India yet?

The tone of the film is clear: it’s not to show that India continues to mourn those thousands of people, including women and children, who were martyred in an enclosed park in Amritsar that day. It’s a clarion call to stir the audience.

Akshay Kumar takes over the film as a real-life nationalist – not in a uniform this time, but in a black coat. He plays the ‘best Indian barrister’, a freshly knighted, Sir C Shankaran Nair, the only and first Indian member of the British Viceroy Council. Nair sued General Reginald Dyer for ordering an open fire on innocent people, silently protesting against the Rowlatt Act, which gave power to the police to arrest any person without specified reason.

The film doesn’t waste your time in establishing who’s who and what the conflict is. It begins with the dreadful scenes of the massacre, and shows the plea of the survivors and the families of the victims. Based on the book ‘The Case That Shook The Empire’ by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ never asks you for your sympathy as a viewer. And that’s probably the best thing about the film. You are not crying, you are fuming.

There’s enough drama and winning monologues that never make you forget that you are watching a full-fledged commercial Bollywood film. But, you don’t mind any of that. The intention is pure – the film first stirs your emotions and then ignites a fire that refuses to die down.

Kesari Chapter 2″ has received positive early reviews and is showing strong advance ticket sales, indicating potential for a successful box office run. The film, which explores the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the subsequent legal battle, has garnered praise for its powerful story and performances, particularly Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of C. Sankaran Nair.

Box Office Performance:
Advance Bookings:
“Kesari Chapter 2” sold over 50,000 tickets in advance, generating Rs. 3 crore in revenue, a significant number for the film.

kesari Chapter 2: Collection and Review.

Day 1 Collections:
The film collected approximately Rs. 1.12 crore by noon on its release day, suggesting a strong start.
Weekend Potential:
The release on Good Friday, a national holiday, and the positive early response indicate the potential for significant              growth in collections throughout the weekend.
Strong in Key Areas:
States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi have contributed a substantial portion of the collections, indicating                broad audience interest.
Critical Reception:
Praise for Performances:
Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Pandey have received praise for their acting, with some claiming Kumar’s            performance to be his best yet.
Power of the Story:
The film is lauded for its gripping narrative, especially the courtroom drama aspect, and its exploration of a dark                  chapter in Indian history.
Emotional Impact:
Many viewers have described the film as deeply moving and evocative, particularly in its depiction of the Jallianwala             Bagh massacre and the sacrifices of those involved.

  overall:
“Kesari Chapter 2” appears to be off to a strong start, with positive reviews and encouraging box office numbers. The film’s historical context, combined with strong performances and a compelling story, suggests it could resonate with audiences and generate significant buzz.
Additional Notes: