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Breaking away from the war-soaked legacy of its predecessor, Kesari Chapter 2 carves its path through the high-stakes world of courtroom drama. Released on April 18, 2025, this Akshay Kumar-led film places its strength in sharp dialogues, layered emotions, and legal confrontations. Let’s evaluate the filmmaking finesse, star appeal, and box office trajectory of the Bollywood historical drama Kesari Chapter 2. Narrative Depth of Kesari Chapter 2 Subtitled ‘The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh,’ this chapter revisits one of colonial India’s darkest hours, seldom explored on screen. Inspired by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s The Case That Shook The Empire, the film leans into its charting of familiar territory with dignity rather than daring. Anchored by the tireless resolve of C. Sankaran Nair, it delves deep into his courtroom quest for justice following the brutal Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As legal proceedings unmask imperial deceit and media manipulation, Nair’s defiance ignites both a legal and emotional uprising. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads Filmmaking: Direction and Screenplay in Harmony When storytelling meets sincerity, it leaves a lasting imprint, and this film does just that under the assured vision of Karan Singh Tyagi. His approach isn’t weighed down by the need to sensationalise history but rather to let the gravity of its truth speak for itself. Each frame feels like it was carved with both reverence and restraint. It offers a cinematic experience that balances commercial storytelling with historical depth. Even the few dramatised moments stay rooted in emotional honesty, never tipping into artificiality. What’s especially refreshing is its resistance to the typical post-interval slump; the pacing remains taut and engaging throughout. The dialogues, shaped meticulously by Sumit Saxena, feel less like scripted lines, deliberate truths waiting to strike. Credit also flows to Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra’s subtle strength in co-shaping the screenplay. With this creative collaboration, the drama avoids overblown patriotism, opting instead for quiet, piercing dignity. Read more: May 2025 Bollywood Releases: 10 Most Hyped Hindi Films To Watch Star Cast Led by Akshay Kumar Akshay delivers a performance that transcends his usual action-packed persona. Stepping into the shoes of C. Sankaran Nair, he masterfully portrays the transformation of a British loyalist into a passionate truth-seeker. His ability to channel the inner conflict of a man torn between loyalty and morality introduces a unique depth to his character. Every monologue, carefully crafted and executed, is a moment of defiance and a raw human reaction to the forces of manipulation. In contrast, R. Madhavan, as Neville McKinley, serves as the perfect foil to Akshay’s stoic intensity. His portrayal of an eloquent, somewhat eccentric opposing counsel presents a refined complexity to their courtroom clashes. These verbal duels are poised as ideological battlegrounds, where each word carries the weight of colonial repression and personal belief. Ananya Panday shines as Dilreet Kaur, a co-counsel whose quiet determination adds gravitas to her role. She navigates her character’s legal prowess and personal pain with remarkable maturity. Meanwhile, Regina Cassandra’s portrayal of Nair’s wife, Palat Kunhimalu Amma, anchors much-needed support to Nair's tumultuous journey. Read more: May 2025 Amazon Prime Video Originals Streaming Lineup: Movies, Series, Shows Finally, Simon Paisley Day brings a chilling presence as General Dyer, whose backstory adds a layer of tragic complexity to his villainous role. His portrayal sheds light on the dark psychology driving colonial violence. Visual Brilliance and Score: Production Set, Cinematography, and Music The production design by Rita Ghosh flawlessly brings the pre-Independence era to life. It extends from the bustling streets of Amritsar to the bloodied grounds of Jallianwala Bagh. The colonial courts, the grandeur of the Viceroy’s parties feels genuine yet not overly staged. Every single detail is meticulously crafted to evoke the period’s oppressive atmosphere.  Debojeet Ray’s cinematography, paired with Tyagi's direction, adds a visual depth that enhances the emotional weight of the story. The music elevates the experience further with Shashwat Sachdev’s stirring compositions, like ‘O Shera’ and ‘Kithe Gaya.’ Azeem Dayani’s background score underscores the tension and drama. A poignant moment arrives with the nostalgic revisit of ‘Teri Mitti,’ an emotional callback to the first film, binding the narrative together beautifully. Read more: Sunny Deol's Jaat Movie Review: Is It Worth Watching Box Office Strength and Audience Verdict Bankrolled by the collaborative strength of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, the film’s box office journey began with steady momentum. Its opening day pulled in Rs 7.75 crore, which is around BDT 11.02 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.42); a respectable start. The second day witnessed a healthy uplift, recording Rs 9.5 crore (BDT 13.51 crore), 22.58 percent growth from day 1. As of midday on April 20, the third-day earnings stood at Rs. 0.6 crore (BDT 0.8 crore), pushing the total to Rs. 17.85 crore (BDT 25.38 crore). Despite stiff competition from Sunny Deol’s roaring comeback in Jaat, the movie’s hold remains promising. Audience reception shines brightly too, with an IMDB rating of 8.6- a testament to its impact beyond mere numbers. Verdict Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review reflects a gripping courtroom journey wrapped in patriotic depth and emotional weight. Akshay Kumar’s compelling portrayal of C. Sankaran Nair marks one of his most restrained yet stirring performances. The historical drama arrived with an impressive box office turnout, holding audience attention despite its creatively mixed echoes. A fine blend of storytelling and purpose, Karan Singh’s direction emerges as a dignified sequel worth watching. Read more: 10 Best Films, Documentaries on Palestine That Everyone Should Watch

Kesari Chapter 2, the much-awaited courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar, is all set to release in theatres on Friday, April 18. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film also features Ananya Panday and R Madhavan in key roles. Ahead of its theatrical debut, the film has generated considerable buzz among audiences, with advance ticket sales picking up pace. As per data from Sacnilk, Kesari Chapter 2 has sold 24,935 tickets across 3,503 shows so far, bringing in ₹82.85 lakh from advance bookings alone. Including blocked seats, the total pre-release collection has reached ₹1.86 crore. On Tuesday, the makers hosted a grand premiere in Delhi at a cinema in Chanakyapuri. The special screening was attended by several high-profile political figures and dignitaries, with Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan personally greeting guests at the event. Nate Bargatze will host the 2025 Emmy Awards Before the screening began, Akshay Kumar addressed the audience, urging them to stay off their phones during the film. “I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film. So I request everyone to keep their phones away,” he said. Set in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Kesari Chapter 2 is a thematic successor to Akshay Kumar’s 2019 film Kesari. While the original, directed by Anurag Singh, focused on the legendary Battle of Saragarhi in 1897, the sequel continues the narrative of valor and sacrifice with a fresh perspective. The film also stars Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, and Alexx O'Nell in prominent roles. Ibrahim Ali Khan responds to Palak Tiwari dating rumours: "She's Sweet" Kesari Chapter 2 is jointly produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari under the banners of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films. Source: With input from NDTV

Amid criticism over the poor box office performance of Salman Khan’s latest film Sikandar, fellow actor and longtime friend Akshay Kumar has come out in support of the star. During a special screening of his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ in Delhi, Akshay dismissed claims that big stars are losing their box office pull. “Dekhiye yeh galat baat hai. Aisa hai, aisa ho nahi sakta hai. Tiger Zinda hai aur hamesha rahega. Salman aisi nasal ka tiger jo zindagi mein kabhi marr nahi sakta,” he said. ‘The Great Moose Migration’ captivates devoted fans of Swedish slow TV sensation ["Look, this is wrong. This can't be. The tiger is alive and will always remain alive. Salman is the kind of tiger who can never die in his lifetime," he said.] Akshay and Salman, who began their film careers around the same time, have shared screen space in popular films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Jaan-E-Mann, and continue to share a strong camaraderie. With inputs form Hindustan Times

Bollywood, a powerhouse of storytelling and spectacle, is set to captivate audiences this March 2025 with an exciting lineup of highly anticipated releases. From action-packed thrillers and spine-chilling horrors to heartwarming musicals and gripping biopics, there’s something for every movie lover. With A-list stars and acclaimed directors leading the charge, these films are already generating major buzz. Here’s a curated look at the top 10 Hindi movies poised to dominate the box office and captivate audiences this March. Top 10 Must-see Hindi Movies Coming this March . The Diplomat | Thriller | March 07, 2025 Starring John Abraham, this intriguing thriller is directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah. At the heart of this gripping narrative lies an Indian diplomat’s relentless quest to bring an Indian girl back home from Pakistan.  Sadia Khateeb, Bhawani Muzamil, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, Amitoj Mann, Jagjeet Sandhu, Sehar Shehnaz, and Vidhatri Bandi round out the supporting cast. Read more: Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025 The cinematic venture unites the production houses- Fortune Films, JA Entertainment, Seeta Films, T-Series, and Wakaoo Films. Hindi Vindi | Musical Drama | March 08, 2025 This musical follows Kabir, a teenage musician caught in a whirlwind of self-discovery as he races against time to compose a song in a language he does not speak. His internal conflict deepens when his Indian grandmother moves to Sydney, confronting him with a cultural and linguistic divide. Besides directing the film, Ali Sayed wrote it with Jayant Sharma and Swarnima Singh. Mihir Ahuja and Neena Gupta led the cast supported by Guy Sebastian, Mathew Swift, Davida Tal, Simran Gulati, and Pranam Janney. Read more: 10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025 The production credit goes to 24Six Films, Drishya Sharma Productions, and Shah Entertainment Media (Mumbai). Kesari Chapter 2 | Courtroom Drama | March 14, 2025 Also known as ‘The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair’, this legal drama takes shape under the direction of Karan Singh Tyagi. The writing team includes Amritpal Bindra (Screenplay), Akshat Ghildial(dialogue), Sumit Saxena, and Tyagi. This biographical drama delves into the life of C. Sankaran Nair, a distinguished lawyer and former President of the Indian National Congress. The narrative unravels his unyielding pursuit of truth in exposing the grim reality behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Bankrolled by Cape of Good Films, Dharma Productions, and Leo Media Collective, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Madhavan, and Ananya Panday as lead characters. Read more: The Biggest Superhero Movies of 2025: Marvel, DC, and Beyond The additional cast members are Steven Hartley, Mark Bennington, Sammy Jonas Heaney, Krish Rao, and Moumita Pal. Kesari Veer | Historical Action | March 14, 2025 Penned by Kanu Chauhan and Shitiz Srivastava, this historical film boasts Prince Dhiman as the director. Rooted in history, this epic tale brings to life the valor of Hamirji Gohil, a fearless warrior who stood against the formidable Tughlaq Empire. His unwavering resolve to protect the Somnath Temple and uphold Hinduism transforms his story into a saga of sacrifice and unshakable devotion. Produced by Chauhan Studios, this action movie thrives with Sooraj Pancholi, Suniel Shetty, Akanksha Sharma, and Vivek Oberoi as lead actors. Read more: Top 10 most-anticipated Korean dramas releasing in February 2025 Aruna Irani, Barkha Bisht, Kiran Kumar, Meenakshi Chugh, and Vikas Bangar portray the supporting characters. Rai | Crime | March 15, 2025 Directed and written by Ram Gopal Varma, this crime movie features Vivek Oberoi as the titular character, with Karishma Tanna as the female lead. Inspired by real events, this riveting crime drama unpacks the life of Muthappa Rai, a wealthy businessman entangled in allegations of running a criminal empire. The film’s production is spearheaded by RGV Film Company and Eros Worldwide. Read more: February 2025 South Indian Movie Releases: Top 12 Must-Watch Films