Akshay Kumar’s upcoming historical drama ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ is drawing significant attention for its powerful subject: the courtroom battle surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Produced by Karan Johar, the film stars Akshay Kumar as lawyer C. Sankaran Nair, who challenged the British Empire’s silence over one of the darkest chapters in India’s colonial history. The film also features Ananya Panday and R. Madhavan in key roles and is set for a theatrical release on April 18.
At a recent press conference, Akshay Kumar revealed his personal connection to the event, making the film all the more meaningful to him.
Akshay Kumar on Jallianwala Bagh massacre
“My grandfather witnessed the entire Jallianwala Bagh incident. He told my father about it, and my father told me. I’ve known about the massacre since I was a child — the story has been passed down through generations. This film is very special to me; the event has always been etched in my mind,” Akshay shared.
Reflecting on how director Karan Tyagi approached him with the project, Akshay said: “When Karan Tyagi narrated the story, I immediately agreed. I thank Karan Johar for giving me this opportunity. What shocked me was how history books fail to highlight important events like this. The C. Sankaran Nair story is largely unknown.”
The actor also expressed a strong message directed at the British government: “I want King Charles and the British government to watch this film and realise their mistake. The apology will follow naturally.”
When asked about the film receiving an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC, Akshay responded: “I presume there are certain things they believe are appropriate for that rating, and we respect that.”
About Kesari 2
Producer Karan Johar added:”We absolutely respect the CBFC’s decision. They had their reasons, and there were no cuts requested in the film.”
In ‘Kesari 2’, Akshay portrays C. Sankaran Nair, the fearless lawyer who stood up to the British Empire in the aftermath of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh genocide, where over 1,600 innocent civilians were killed.
With a gripping patriotic tone and historical relevance, Kesari Chapter 2 is poised to deliver both cinematic impact and a reminder of India’s fight for justice.
