After making a powerful impact at the box office, ‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh’ is set to reach an even wider audience with its digital release. The critically acclaimed historical drama will stream exclusively on JioHotstar starting June 13, bringing a lesser-known chapter of India’s freedom struggle into homes across the country.
Featuring a compelling cast led by Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, the film is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and backed by an illustrious production team including Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari under the banners of Dharma Productions, Cape Of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective.
Set in the shadow of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the film follows C. Sankaran Nair (played by Akshay Kumar), a lone Indian barrister who dares to take on the British Raj in court. With R. Madhavan playing the formidable colonial counsel Neville McKinley and Ananya Panday portraying a spirited law student aiding Nair, the film unfolds as a gripping legal drama rooted in historical truth and national memory.
The movie has been praised for its commanding performances, taut screenplay, and emotionally charged courtroom sequences. The narrative focuses not only on the massacre itself but on the aftermath — the legal, moral, and emotional reckoning that followed, as one man challenged imperial authority through the rule of law.
Speaking about his role, Akshay said, “ ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ tells the story of an extraordinary man who chose to stand against an empire, risking everything to bring justice to the victims of one of history’s darkest moments. Portraying C. Sankaran Nair was a deeply humbling experience, a reminder of how courage and conviction can shake even the mightiest powers.”
Madhavan, reflecting on his complex role, added, “Neville McKinley is a fierce defender of the British Empire’s interests and a formidable opponent to Akshay Kumar’s character. This film is a gripping portrayal of a battle fought not with weapons, but with laws and ideas.”