Court, Courage, and Conviction – Where Justice Met Patriotism !!

Court, Courage, and Conviction – Where Justice Met Patriotism : My quick take on movie “Kesari Chapter 2” (Theatrical release)

Let’s get one thing straight — Kesari Chapter 2, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, has absolutely nothing to do with Kesari or the Battle of Saragarhi. It’s neither a sequel nor a spiritual cousin. So, if you walked into the theatre expecting bearded sardars charging in slo-mo… surprise! You’ve entered a courtroom, not a battlefield. But don’t walk out — stay seated. Because what unfolds is a fiery slice of forgotten history that deserves every minute of your attention.

The film throws a much-needed spotlight on Sir Shankaran Nair — a name many of us skimmed past in history class but one we won’t forget after this. His legal defiance of the British Raj, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, forms the backbone of this courtroom-meets-colonial-drama.

Let’s be honest — Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham still holds the crown. The way it portrayed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was nothing short of a cinematic gut-punch — poetic, raw, and soul-scarring. That benchmark hasn’t been toppled. But Kesari Chapter 2 comes admirably close. One particular shot — a young boy crawling out from beneath a pile of corpses — is both heartbreaking and technically stunning. You’ll find yourself whispering, “How did they even shoot that?” It’s harrowing, haunting, and deeply human.

Akshay Kumar, as Sir Shankaran Nair, delivers one of his most restrained yet magnetic performances. No loud monologues, just smouldering defiance. There are moments where he simply stands in frame — and you feel the weight of history shifting.

R. Mahadevan, playing the colonial antagonist, is chillingly brilliant. Cold, composed, and menacing — a perfect foil to Akki Bhai’s righteous rage. Their courtroom face-offs? Crackling.

And now for the headline shocker: Ananya Pandey can act. No, I’m not joking. 😜 She plays advocate Diljeet Kaur, and yaar, ‘dil jeet’ liya. With surprising emotional depth and quiet strength, she breaks free from the bubblegum mould — and delivers a performance that earns both respect and rewatches.

The British cast is sharp and serious — no cartoonish redcoats here. Just menacing, well-etched characters who make you squirm with their civility-coated cruelty.

And now, to the man holding the megaphone — Director Karan Singh Tyagi. For a debutant, he handles the material with confidence and craft. The tone never wavers, the courtroom scenes crackle without getting preachy, and the emotional beats land just right. Never once does the film feel like a rookie ride. Take a bow, Tyagi Saab.

Now, onto the man behind the curtain — Karan Johar.

The same KJo who once gave us heartbreaks in lehengas now hands us history in black-and-white courtrooms. This isn’t just a film, it’s a redemption arc. From Koffee to Kesari, he finally serves up something with spine, soul, and seriousness.

Sure, the film takes a few liberties with facts. Historical purists may roll their eyes. But as a wise Punjabi once said, “Yaar ki farak penda?” When the message hits this hard, you can let a few factual wrinkles slide.

Overall, Kesari Chapter 2 is a cinematic danda — blunt, brutal, and bold. It revives a forgotten hero, unflinchingly portrays colonial cruelty, and lets truth thunder not on the battlefield, but in the courtroom.

Watch it — not just for the powerhouse performances or production — but for the part of India’s past you didn’t know you needed to remember.