When Truth Stands Trial Against Empire
Kesari Chapter 2 is not just a sequel—it is a reckoning. Karan Singh Tyagi, the director, has taken it upon himself to further the story of defiance started in Kesari—from blood-soaked battles to a courtroom dripping with colonial condescension. This film, like the earlier one, is also inspired by an astonishing tale: the life of C. Sankaran Nair, who served as the first Indian Viceroy’s Counsel and had the audacity to challenge the British narrative post the grisly Jalianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.
This chapter focuses on responsibility, truth, justice, and the struggle against silence.
🎥 Plot Summary
The narrative begins from the point of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which saw the mindless slaughter of thousands of innocent Indians by General Reginald Dyer. The bloodlust of the Britons knew no bounds; Dyer’s orders were to gun down everything and everyone in sight. It covers the eventual attempts made by the British government and media to wash over the incident. As a principled barrister and political figure, C. Sankaran Nair does the unthinkable: he resigns his practice in India and sues the British government in London.
While preparing for what is arguably the most important trial of his life, Nair is joined by fiery young revolutionary Pargat Singh and aspiring law student Dilreet Gill, both of whom are inspired by Nair’s idealistic resolve and moral compass. In a courtroom full of imperial lawyers and one-sided narratives, Nair goes head to head with Neville McKinley, an eloquent Anglo-Indian barrister who is hell-bent on serving the Crown.
More than chronicles of legal proceedings, Kesari Chapter 2 explores the burden of remembrance, collective humiliation, and the relentless fury of justice. It traverses the chilling memories of multiple places including Amritsar, the smoke-filled hallways of British high society, and the intense arguments in busting courtrooms where history hangs in the balance at every uttered word.
🎭 Cast & Performances
C. Sankaran Nair portrayed by Akshay Kumar — A man bearing the moral agony of an entire nation. A performance that is tempered and understated yet achingly beautiful. A gaze that reflects the weight of the yesteryears and the sharp resolve of defiance.
R. Madhavan as Neville McKinley — As the legal representative of the Empire, he brings grace and haughtiness to the courtroom. Exquisitely cruel, calculating, and complex.
Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill – A student-turned-symbole of justice and moral ambiguity, profoundly executed.
Regina Cassandra as Parvathy Nair – The strength in compassion that gives Sankaran hope reminds him, and encourages us, of the enduring power of love woven through loss.
Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer – Hauntingly ruthless in his portrayal, Dyer echoes the unashamed facade of colonial savage violence that so many have grown accustomed to.
Alexx O’Nell as Lord Chelmsford – Master of politically motivated hypocrisy and imperial vanity. Southwestern colonial royalty at its worst.
Vicky Kaushal as the narrator – The life of the story, whose words blend emotion, fact, and fire into the narrative fabric.
🔍 Symbolism & Themes
⚖️ Justice vs. Imperialism
The film proposes that justice may take childlike breaths while truth always whispers, blooms, and dances. The world is but a courtroom stage with virtue dictating was once an empire.
🕊️ The Power of One
Principled uniqueness against unmatched silence personified. C. Sankaran Nair stands unfazed. Constitution in one hand, a lance of the will-ready-to-speak in the other. So fear not; swords are not always necessary.
🔥 Memory as Resistance
Remembering Jallianwala Bagh is not merely an event—it is an intimate memory. Each individual who survives, every mother, and every silence stands witness as proof of death which becomes unreal, letting the story live on.
🧑🎓 Mentorship and Legacy
For Nair, the bonds with Gill and Pargat ice his primary concern. He does not just pursue justice; he is cultivating a legacy to outlive him. It is not only a trial. It’s a hopeful emancipation.
🎬 Visuals & Direction
Doned theatrically, director Karan Singh Tyagi holds back on dynamic camera movement and guides the narrative with feelings and speech. Debojeet Ray’s cinematography captures dimly lit rooms overflowing with candlelight, perfectly encapsulating the somber atmosphere of the film. The decor, the buildings themselves, the garments and the British Court’s business like interiors all serve to reinforce the Indian spirit resilient toward Britsh order.
In with breath taking calm, Shashwat Sachdev with Kavita rose in with Kanishk Seth to haunt with the score. Tension-fueled monologues are accompanied by tenuous tabla and sarangi, soft voice rises in moments of emotional reprieve. The music does not distract. It corteously marks space.
🎞️ Production Details
- Director: Karan Singh Tyagi
- Writers: Karan Singh Tyagi, Amritpal Singh Bindra, Sumit Saxena
- Producers: Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari
- Cinematography: Debojeet Ray
- Editing: Nitin Baid
- Music: Shashwat Sachdev, Kavita Seth–Kanishk Seth
- Studios: Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, Cape of Good Films
- Runtime: 135 minutes
- Language: Hindi
- Release Date: 18 April 2025
- Budget: ₹150 crore
- Box Office: ₹61.99 crore
📣 Reception & Cultural Impact
Critics have praised the relevancy of the film’s issues and its primary performances. Most were emotionally affected by powerful the courtroom diatribes. Some were overwhelmed by the drama that, at times, felt too far removed from actual history.
After all, the film has brought back into the realm of public consciousness C. Sankaran Nair—a figure whose name had become extremely obscure but is now emerging as one of the key personalities in India’s legal counter to British colonial rule.
Educational institutes have now included the analysis of the film in their syllabus. It has now become customary to do panels, essays or podcasts where his name is invoked and effectively revive a largely forgotten narrative of Indian nationalism.
📝 Final Remarks
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh is more than just a film; it is a cinematic tribute that captures history. It reminds us of the unflinching violence unleashed by colonial rule, and bares the scars of repression. It challenges the audience by asking: Who speaks for the unheard when people forget them?
