Kesari Chapter 2 – My Flash Review

The tagline for Kesari Chapter 2 states that it is an untold story of Jallianwala Bagh. Indeed, it is because we have not read about this story or its main protagonist, Sankaran Nair, in our history books. Therefore, first, kudos to the makers for dusting this story from the archives and presenting it as a mainstream film. Kudos also for packaging it as Kesari Chapter 2 and developing it as part of a universe of stories belonging to the pre-independence era, set in Punjab and about our fight against the British.

Kesari-2 tells the story of a man who fought a pivotal battle against the British, yet he isn’t mentioned in our history books, not even as a footnote. If it is indeed there, my apologies; I missed it. We have read quite a bit about the heinous Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar that took place in 1919, but not about what followed afterward. A few years ago, there was another well-made film, Sardar Udham Singh, who eventually assassinated Michael O’Dwyer in England, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This story addresses the judicial cover-up that occurred after the killings and how the British Raj tried its best to protect General Dyer, the man who ordered the firing on that fateful day on innocent Indians and framed it as retaliation for anti-state activities.

Since the film is based on a true story, the content is quite strong. The film is well-made in most parts, including the portrayal of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which is very moving. In terms of production, the film is set in a few locations—mainly inside the courtroom—and therefore must have been quick and easy to make.

Akshay Kumar plays the hero, Justice Sakaran Nair, and performs his role competently. His character has a well-defined arc, which he portrays with sensitivity. However, since the film is based on a real person, I would have preferred the makers to cast an actor who resembled Sankaran Nair. Akshay doesn’t come anywhere close to Sankaran in terms of looks. A clean-shaven, slightly bald Madhavan would have suited the role better. Interestingly, Madhavan plays one of the antagonists, Advocate Neville McKinley, and he is, as usual, very good. I don’t know if his character in real life was like this, but he is depicted in the same familiar way. In Indian films, when they need a talented cop or lawyer to solve a case, they often portray the character as an alcoholic, suspend him, and later find him sulking somewhere before resurrecting him for the case. In this film, Madhavan’s character is an exceptionally talented advocate who has lost his way due to alcohol and is brought back into the limelight to argue General Dyer’s case against Akshay. The court scenes are interesting, but they are also stereotypical and predictable.

Because there is Akshay, the director, Karan Singh Tyagi couldn’t resist the temptation of a few higher frame rate shots with a hero elevation song, that too in Punjabi, playing in the background. Ananya Panday plays the female lead, with little to do except play second fiddle to Akshay and does a neat job. Regina Cassandra, as Akshay’s wife exists only for a few reaction shots in the whole film.

The film continues the tradition in Indian movies of portraying the British as always sniggering people, but is effective in elevating the drama and emotions. The young boy who appears at the beginning, as Parget Singh, is impressive and makes a lasting impact.

I watched the film with no expectations, and I found it to be quite engaging. Kesari Chapter 2 is now streaming on Jio Hotstar, and I recommend it as a good watch.