Kesari Chapter 2 Review: Akshay Kumar’s Passion Can’t Save This Shallow Historical Courtroom Drama

Read this in-depth Kesari Chapter 2 review as we explore why Akshay Kumar’s performance in this historical courtroom drama can’t salvage its lack of depth or cultural authenticity.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Akshay Kumar as Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair

3. Historical Accuracy & Cultural Interpretation

4. Courtroom Drama Without Depth

5. Supporting Cast: R. Madhavan & Ananya Panday

6. Missed Opportunities in Historical Storytelling

7. Final Verdict

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Introduction

In this Kesari Chapter 2 review, we dive into a film that aims high but ultimately fails to land its emotional and historical punches. Titled Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, the movie dramatizes the valiant legal crusade of Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, a key figure in India’s independence movement. Unfortunately, while the subject is compelling, the film is weighed down by miscasting, surface-level storytelling, and a lack of cultural nuance.

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Akshay Kumar as Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair

Akshay Kumar tries to lend star power and gravitas to the role of Sankaran Nair, the Malayali lawyer who dared to sue the British Crown for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. However, he feels grossly miscast. His linguistic delivery, body language, and persona fail to capture the depth of a man rooted in Kerala’s rich cultural traditions.

While Kumar clearly gives his all, his portrayal lacks the subtlety and authenticity needed for a historical courtroom drama. His performance, aimed more at mass appeal than biographical accuracy, doesn’t reflect the poise or intellectual rebellion of the real-life Nair.

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Historical Accuracy & Cultural Interpretation

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, and co-written by Amritpal Singh Bindra, the film suffers from a fundamental issue — a superficial engagement with history. Though it covers the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, the screenplay barely scratches the surface of the freedom struggle, especially its impact in Punjab.

Oddly enough, the movie doesn’t even mention that Sankaran Nair was a leader in the Indian National Congress, nor does it show his wider influence on the independence movement. Instead, it portrays him as a British loyalist until a personal tragedy and a racist club sign awaken his conscience.

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Courtroom Drama Without Depth

The focus remains primarily on courtroom battles, but not in a way that builds suspense or ideological tension. Instead, we get a one-dimensional representation of the legal clash between Nair and the British Empire.

General Dyer (Simon Paisley Day) and Governor O’Dwyer (Mark Bennington) are reduced to caricatures, saddled with awkward Hindi dialogue that disrupts immersion. The narrative lacks the emotional layering needed for a true David-vs-Goliath legal war.

Some of the courtroom arguments touch upon modern parallels—media suppression, narrative manipulation, and the misuse of law to quash dissent—but these are brief mentions and not explored further.

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Supporting Cast: R. Madhavan & Ananya Panday

R. Madhavan enters just before the intermission, adding a much-needed shot of energy. While he makes his presence felt, the writing doesn’t allow him to shine beyond supporting Akshay Kumar’s arc.

Ananya Panday, as Dilreet Gill, a young lawyer who idolizes Nair, plays a surprising catalyst in his transformation. However, the script never justifies her admiration for someone portrayed initially as a Raj loyalist. Despite a meaty role, she’s relegated to second fiddle, never allowed her own character growth.

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Missed Opportunities in Historical Storytelling

One of the few emotionally resonant moments involves Pargat Singh, a 13-year-old Jallianwala Bagh survivor played brilliantly by Krish Rao. His tension-filled dynamic with Sankaran Nair offers a glimpse into the story that could have been — one of intergenerational grief and awakening.

Unfortunately, these sharp moments are few and far between. The film fails to develop characters like Tirath Singh (Amit Sial), whose motivations and arc are left undercooked despite screen time. The film also glosses over Punjab’s volatile pre-massacre political climate, missing a major opportunity to build context.

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Final Verdict

As a Bollywood movie review, it’s safe to say that Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh aims for prestige cinema but delivers formulaic drama. It tries to be a tribute to legal and moral courage, but ends up being a shallow rendition, hindered by miscasting and a weak script.

Akshay Kumar, despite his effort, cannot overcome the misfit casting. R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday deliver solid performances, but the script doesn’t support character depth. The movie touches upon relevant themes—media suppression, nationalism, colonial brutality—but never fully commits to exploring them.

For viewers expecting a gripping historical courtroom drama, this one might feel underwhelming. As a history lesson, it’s oversimplified. As a star vehicle, it’s tolerable. But as a true tribute to Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair and the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh, it falls short.