Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review: A Legal Battle for the Soul of a Nation

In Kesari Chapter 2, director Karan Singh Tyagi transforms a buried chapter of Indian history into a cinematic thunderclap. A courtroom drama rooted in colonial injustice, the film tackles the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre through the sharp lens of justice, nationalism, and courage led by a powerhouse performance from Akshay Kumar as lawyer C Sankaran Nair.

Set in 1919, in the thick of British colonial rule, the story picks up in the wake of the blood-soaked tragedy at Jallianwala Bagh. The massacre isn’t just a backdrop, it's the beating heart of the narrative. When C Sankaran Nair, a barrister respected by the British for his courtroom victories, is asked to investigate the massacre, he stumbles upon an appalling truth. Instead of covering it up, he makes an audacious choice: to sue the British Crown and General Dyer himself for genocide, a move that ignites one of the most groundbreaking trials of the era.

What unfolds is a gripping courtroom showdown between two titanic legal minds — Akshay Kumar’s steely, impassioned Nair versus R. Madhavan’s cold and calculated Neville McKinley. Their ideological battle forms the crux of the film and keeps you on the edge throughout.

A Director’s Triumph

Karan Singh Tyagi, in his directorial debut, displays surgical precision in storytelling. His execution is razor-sharp, and his hold over tone and pace is admirable. There are no melodramatic detours, just taut, tension-filled scenes that make every word spoken in the courtroom feel like a bullet fired.

What makes Kesari Chapter 2 stand apart is that it doesn't rely on action sequences or heavy VFX. Instead, it leans into stellar writing, hard-hitting dialogues, and raw emotion. The “empire is shrinking” moment, delivered with simmering rage by Akshay, is destined to become iconic.

The cinematography captures both the grandeur of colonial-era India and the intimacy of personal grief. The recreation of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is haunting, unnerving, and respectful. It doesn't exploit the horror; it lets it speak for itself.

Performances That Leave a Mark

Akshay Kumar is a revelation — intense, restrained, and absolutely commanding. His final courtroom outburst is a masterclass in controlled fury and deep-rooted pain. It’s arguably one of his finest performances to date, and one that will be remembered for years.

R. Madhavan is equally riveting as the antagonist in the courtroom. Calm, composed, and dangerously articulate, he plays McKinley with the kind of depth that’s rarely seen in Bollywood antagonists. He never overplays — instead, his cold logic becomes the perfect foil to Akshay’s emotional storm.

Ananya Panday, as the young and idealistic lawyer Dilreet Gill, is a pleasant surprise. She delivers a sincere performance and holds her own in a film dominated by veterans. Simon Paisley Day as General Dyer is chilling — the embodiment of colonial cruelty. Special shoutout to Regina Cassandra, Amit Sial, and young Krish Rao, who all shine in limited screen time.

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Highs and Minor Flaws

The background score is pulsating, enhancing every beat of the courtroom drama. The dialogues by Sumit Saxena are crisp and punchy, often provoking applause and occasionally tears. The editing is tight, though the first half could have used a slight trim but those scenes serve as crucial setup for the storm that follows.

The occasional use of English in key scenes might alienate a small segment of the audience, but it also lends authenticity to the British-era courtroom setting.

Final Verdict: A Stirring Salute to Forgotten Heroes

Kesari Chapter 2 isn’t just a film, it’s a cinematic reckoning. It resurrects a silenced truth with courage and clarity. A courtroom drama that hits like a war cry, it reminds us that battles for justice aren’t always fought with swords, sometimes all it takes is a voice that refuses to be silenced.

This is one of the most important Hindi films of recent times. Don’t miss it — especially the first 10 minutes.

Watch it for the history, stay for the performances, and remember it for the impact.