Last Updated on April 25, 2025 by Prabhukalyan Dhal
Keshari Chapter 2 Review – A Bold Attempt at Reviving Forgotten History
Keshari Chapter 2 Review: Released on 18th April 2025, Keshari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh sets out to recreate one of the darkest and most shocking episodes in Indian history. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film tries to balance emotional patriotism with courtroom tension — with mixed results.
Starring Akshay Kumar with R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, this ₹100 crore film centres on Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair — a bold Malayali lawyer who took legal action against the British Crown after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. While the subject is undeniably powerful, the execution walks a fine line between sincerity and sensationalism.
Akshay Kumar as Sankaran Nair – Power or Miscast?
Let’s be honest — Akshay Kumar has played numerous nationalistic roles in the past, but this time he trades his khaki-clad patriot for a black-robed barrister. While he gives the role his all, critics and audiences alike have pointed out that Kumar feels miscast. His portrayal lacks the linguistic authenticity and cultural nuance expected from a character like Nair.
The movie opens with Nair being presented as a loyalist to the British Raj, but a sudden turn of events — including a disturbing “Dogs and Indians Not Allowed” sign The sorrowful incident at Jallianwala Bagh lights a spark of resistance deep within. It’s a solid transformation arc, though the storytelling sometimes feels forced rather than fluid.
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The Supporting Cast – Madhavan Shines but Deserves More
R. Madhavan, portraying the serious British barrister Neville McKinley, adds quiet strength and depth to the courtroom moments in Keshari Chapter 2 Review highlights. His character, however, is surprisingly sidelined during the film’s climax, leaving viewers wanting more. Ananya Panday, in the role of young lawyer Dilreet Gill, delivers her most refined performance so far. She becomes the emotional and ideological anchor to Nair’s journey, though her motivation remains underexplored.
A Courtroom Drama with a Patriotic Pulse
The movie thrives in its courtroom sequences, filled with fiery monologues, emotionally charged testimonies, and high-stakes exchanges. But the tension isn’t always consistent. The screenplay sometimes lags, especially in the first hour, and the emotional impact hits only in scattered moments — like the story of Pargat Singh, the 13-year-old Jallianwala survivor.
There’s a particularly explosive moment near the end when Nair, having lost the case and his faith in British justice, lashes out at the courtroom with an unfiltered “F* You!”** — a moment designed to provoke applause but also feels dramatically exaggerated.
Visuals, Music & Direction – Halfway to Greatness
Debojeet Ray’s lens paints colonial India with a mix of eerie beauty and historical depth. The background score by Shashwat Sachdev elevates a few critical moments, especially during Pargat’s testimony and the final courtroom showdown. However, the film’s item song cameo by Masaba Gupta feels oddly out of place in an otherwise serious narrative.
Director Karan Singh Tyagi, in his debut, deserves credit for taking on such a weighty subject, but the need to blend mass appeal with historical detail results in compromises that dilute the emotional power.
Historical Fidelity – Fact Meets Fiction, But Not Always Gracefully
Despite being inspired by real-life events and adapted from a respected book, the film mixes timelines and characters liberally. Some of the courtroom drama is fictionalized, and moving the trial from London to Punjab simplifies history but at the cost of authenticity. Still, for viewers unfamiliar with the story of Sankaran Nair, it may serve as an emotional gateway into a crucial chapter of Indian resistance.
Box Office & Budget Performance
As per the Keshari Chapter 2 Review, with a budget of ₹100 crore, the film has so far grossed ₹75.35 crore worldwide, indicating a moderate commercial performance. Whether the movie recovers fully at the box office may depend on word-of-mouth and its emotional connect with audiences during the following week.
Keshari Chapter 2 – Is It Worth Watching?
Absolutely — but with context. If you’re looking for a sincere tribute to Indian freedom fighters, Keshari Chapter 2 delivers that in parts. However, if you’re expecting a layered biopic or a historically meticulous drama, you might leave with questions. This movie relies more on emotional depth than on strict accuracy.
Watch Keshari Chapter 2 Official Trailer Here
Should You Stream or Skip?
✅ Watch if you enjoy:
- Patriotism-driven courtroom battles
- Historical fiction with emotional hooks
- Power-packed performances by Akshay and Madhavan
❌ Skip if you expect:
- Historically accurate, subtle storytelling
- Even screen time for all characters
- A purely fact-driven period drama
The Verdict: Powerful Story, Flawed Delivery – But Still Worth Your Time
Keshari Chapter 2 Review shows that the film may not be perfect, but it brings to light a significant event that deserves attention. The film doesn’t just revisit the past — it invites the audience to reflect, react, and remember. And in today’s cinema, that still counts for something.
Image Credit: Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, Cape of Good Films (Instagram / Official Poster).
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