Kesari Chapter 2

wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)

quick review:

It's gut-wrenching. It's hair-raising. Goosebumps rose. But that's the story. The movie unabashedly dramatises it, shining the spotlight on the star instead of the character, luring more with form than content.

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Director: Karan Singh Tyagi
Running time: 135 minutes
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"Indians don't know how hard a lawyer fought for justice on behalf of those who died in the Jalianwala Bagh massacre." That's a reasonably fair claim. And it is a shame, too, considering there is so much that went on. It did bother me in school that General Dyer pretty much got away. When I heard of this film, I wondered if he did suffer more than was let on—was that the untold story? Oh well. Even so, the story is dramatic in itself and dramatising it the Hindi-filmy way took away from it. A lot.

Feels more like a wannabe "A Few Good Men" than holding on its own merit.

Firstly, because the focus moved from Sankaran Nair, the lawyer, to Akshay Kumar. Were it not so, we would have known a little more about Sankaran's backstory. Why did he take pride in serving the crown? What turned him over? The transformation shown in the film feels incomplete, superficial, taken for granted, even.

Let's say the intent was to tell us about this lawyer. Then, the fact that, were it not for him, General Dyer wouldn't have faced any repercussions at all needed to be spelt out. Its omission was rather conspicuous.

Now, I understand that both these things could have made the film take cliched routes or make the film hagiographical. But, Kesari Chapter 2 is not that bad a film that we give it points for not doing something. Surely, there is enough talent out there that could have included these things without taking the usual routes.

Oh! And why does the film's title have "Kesari"? What has Kesari got to do with anything? I looked it up a bit, and aside from the thematic connection to the first film titled Kesari, there's little justification. Even if we shrug a "whatever" at that, the usage of the word in the film is highly sus.

Anyway, other than the remarkable story, which could have used a better screenplay over a broad overview, there is nothing much to hold on to. You have seen Akshay Kumar do his intense brooding far too many times. So often that I am bored of wondering, "how he cannot be bored doing it when I am bored writing about it."

Ananya Panday doesn't have much to work with, and she fumbles through the one scene that focusses entirely on her. The gold that Regina Cassandra wears seems to play a bigger role than her character's existence in Sankaran's life. Similarly, Amit Sial just exists. If I remember anything from this film other than the story, it will be R Madhavan's short but effective act.

It's not that bad a film that we give it points for not doing something.

You have a decent-ish courtroom drama. But, it feels more like a wannabe "A Few Good Men" than holding on its own merit. The theatrics overshadow and distract from the substance.

Then what you are left with is…is the core story enough? Yes, but might not be for the right reasons. It is unlikely that there will be another film made on this story. And the story is one that needs to be heard and told. Even if it might not be the whole truth…or even if it might be more than "nothing but the truth."

- meeta, a part of the audience

30 reviewers(?) - 18 yays 9 so-so 3 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Amit Bhatia, abplive : ...Written by Karan Singh Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra, and directed by Tyagi himself, Kesari Chapter 2 is crafted with precision and passion. These two are the real driving forces behind the film’s emotional power.Every frame reflects careful thought. Every character is used with a purpose. The writing is sharp, the scenes are impactful, and the storytelling is tight.... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...This is not a film about celebrating a hero. Kesari 2 celebrates the lives of those hundreds of martyrs who perished in Jallianwala Bagh. When their names start scrolling in the end titles I had tears in my eyes. Every country-loving Indian would feel the same way.... full review

Thumbs up, by Simran Singh, DNA : ...Overall, despite a few flaws, Keasri Chapter 2 is a must-watch for every Indian. After watching it, you will also feel that the British Empire owes an apology to India, and they should say 'Sorry'.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Watch Kesari Chapter 2 for Akshay Kumar’s and R Madhavan’s performances and for its message of unity and judicial integrity, much needed in today’s times.... full review

Thumbs up, by Khushi Mishra., Filmi Beat : ...Despite its occasional missteps, Kesari Chapter 2 stands out as a spiritual sequel to Kesari, offering a gripping and emotionally charged experience. Its strong performances, soul-stirring music, and the unflinching exploration of a pivotal moment in history make it a must-watch. While the film could have benefited from a more grounded approach, its powerful second half and impactful storytelling render it a worthy homage to the pursuit of truth and justice. Kesari Chapter 2 is currently available for viewing in theatres, providing audiences a chance to witness this dramatic portrayal of a significant historical event.... full review

Thumbs up, by Lachmi Deb Roy, FirstPost : ...The writing of the film is estimable, and this chapter of the Jalianwallah Bagh tragedy needed to be told and director Karan Singh Tyagi has done a brilliant job. The message is loud and clear, “No more long live the king. We are going to roar like a lion and we need an apology from the British Empire.”... full review

Thumbs up, by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal : ...Overall, Kesari Chapter 2 gets history on the big screens in an engaging and entertaining manner. So, yes, you should watch this Akshay Kumar starrer in a theatre near or far away from you!... full review

Thumbs up, by Iqbal Pervez, Glamsham.com : ...Overall, this movie is a must watch. This movie will make you feel proud and will make you realize that there have been heroes in our country that we don’t know about.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...The film’s team has been claiming that the first 10 minutes of the film should not be missed. I would say, the entire film.... full review

Thumbs up, by Vineeta Kumar, india today : ...'Kesari Chapter 2' is India's letter to the Crown, where each countryman folds their hands, humbly, with fire in their eyes and a bleeding heart under the weight of history - demanding, and not requesting - a simple 'sorry'. A deserving watch by children, families, the young audience, and all those who were born in free India, the film shows that we might have got freedom in 1947, but the fight for honour and justice continues 106 years on.... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV : ...'Kesari Chapter 2' is a must-watch film. It is a story of truth, justice and pain, which has been presented with complete honesty. This story, which narrates an untold and shocking chapter of Indian history, should get a chance. We are giving this film 4 out of 5 stars.... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Shah, India-Forums : ...Speaking of music, the soundtrack deserves a standing ovation. The repurposed version of "Teri Mitti" is nothing shortof haunting. New tracks like "Oh Shera" and "Kithe Gaya Tu Saaiyaan" tug at your soul. They aren’t just songs;they’re emotions set to music. The background score throughout the courtroom scenes heightens the tension without everoverwhelming the drama.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shreshtha Chaudhury, koimoi : ...Kesari Chapter 2 is not just a film but it is an education and an emotion which should be especially experienced by our younger generation who still don’t realize the countless sacrifices which went behind our country getting its Independence. Stories of more unsung heroes like C Sankaran Nair deserves to be told.... full review

Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Credit for the fact that this talk-heavy picture holds your attention, through and through, must foremost go to the debutant writer-director Karan Singh Tyagi.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Karan Singh Tyagi's feature film debut is nothing short of a dream for any debutant filmmaker. Taking on a big challenge like this in the first film was not easy; Tyagi didn't just accept the challenge but completed it with utter honesty and dedication.... full review

Thumbs up, by TITAS CHOWDHURY, News18.com : ...But if you’re a fan of courtroom dramas, do give Kesari Chapter 2 a watch! It may not be the best out there but will definitely entertain you. And that’s why director Karan Singh Tyagi’s earnest intent deserves brownie points.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rishil Jogani, Pinkvilla : ...Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-watch for its gripping courtroom drama, stellar performances, and unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in history. While the film’s commercial aspects like the loud score often detract from the movie's groundedness, its powerful second half, soulful music, and exceptional performances make it a compelling experience.... full review

Thumbs up, by Dhaval Roy, Times of India : ...The tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre is a well-documented chapter in history. Yet, this deep dive into the lesser-known case that shook the Empire makes for an incredible tale. Its gripping narrative and stellar performances make it a must-watch fare.... full review

So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Chapter 2 of Kesari does not disappoint as it successfully infroms and engages the viewers in its two hours of duration along with some earnest performances led by Akshay Kumar and Madhawan. However, sadly it does not convey the proceeding in any truthful manner surpassing the limits of all creative liberties granted to the flimmamkers.... full review

So-So, by Taher Ahmed, Deccan Herald : ...While the storyline is strong, the dialogues could have been better in certain scenes, with the potential to tug harder at the heartstrings of the audience. Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/kesari-chapter-2-movie-review-poignant-story-of-a-massacre-3500400... full review

So-So, by Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Gulf News : ...While both Madhavan and Akshay Kumar did manage to convince me — even stir anger over the criminal and brutal injustices committed by our colonisers — I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything for the principal players. Their performances had moments, but the emotional core felt undercooked. In the end, it was a wasted opportunity to tell a story that deserved more depth and authenticity.... full review

So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Net net, Kesari 2, by Dharma Productions and Adar Poonawala, is a film of its time, for its time, unpacking a tragic chapter of our past with dollops of explanatory, patriotic fervour, whose opening disclaimer states that ‘though inspired by true events, it is a work of pure fiction’.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The focus of the sluggish film is entirely on the courtroom proceedings and events surrounding the battle between Sankaran Nair, Viceroy's Council member and barrister, and the Anglo-Indian advocate Neville Mckinley (R. Madhavan).... full review

So-So, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...Had Kesari 2 cut down on the needless frills and confusing sub-plots, it would have had a greater, more resounding impact. Nonetheless, it's still an honest, solid tribute to Nair, Indian freedom fighters, and martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.... full review

So-So, by Utkarsh Mishra, Rediff : ...Nonetheless, if you disregard history and are ready to watch Kesari 2 purely as an entertainer, you are definitely going to enjoy it.... full review

So-So, The Quint : ...The background score, while sparingly effective, mostly seems forced into the narrative. The film's songs, however, are better suited with 'Kithe Gaya Tu Saaiyaan' being the obvious standout.... full review

So-So, by SAJIN SHRIJITH, The Week : ...Having said that, I wish the film carried more punch. Take the emotional bits, for example, and the use of music in them. Why not use an instrumental score to accompany them instead of a song? There's nothing wrong with theatricality, but in a serious film based on a horrifying real-life incident, isn't it better to dial it down a bit?... full review

Thumbs down, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...Dialogue writer Sumit Saxena gets in a nice line or two; Nair saying “Now even my questions seem like complaints to you”, and McKinley’s suggestion that everyone’s breaking some law or the other, you just have to figure which one, have the ring of today's India.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...The film’s best form of revenge is its portrayal of Reginald Dyer. Simon Paisley Day, who is made up to resemble an ageing and slimmed-down Adolf Hitler, delivers a dire performance, yelling “Bloody Indians” like he is in a Manmohan Desai movie.... full review

Thumbs down, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...The camera captures the massacre with the intent to provoke and set the stage for an enraged Akshay. Tyagi gets so engrossed in serving his star that the storytelling goes for a toss. He makes no effort to track the backstory behind the massacre. The Rowlatt Act remains out of conversation, the fact that the British were baffled by the Hindu-Muslim unity on Ram Navami gets just a passing reference, and there is no mention of the Hunter Commission.... full review

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This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: The massacre. Another torture scene.
  • Language: Use of curse words in a couple of scenes.
  • Nudity & Sexual content: None, mention of rape and a hint of a making out scene
  • Concept: A lawyer's fight to get justice for the victims of the Jalianwala Bagh massacre
  • General Look and Feel: Crisp and clean but unnecessarily loud at times.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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