The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh Reaches Theaters Tomorrow

Akshay Kumar’s highly anticipated film Kesari Chapter 2 is all set to hit theaters tomorrow, April 18, 2025. The historical courtroom drama, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, has generated significant buzz with early screenings receiving glowing reviews from celebrities and critics alike.The film, which serves as a spiritual sequel to Kumar’s 2019 hit Kesari, features an impressive cast including R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday in pivotal roles. While the original film depicted the heroic Battle of Saragarhi, this new chapter focuses on the aftermath of the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

A Story That Needed to Be Told

Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, Kesari Chapter 2 tells the real-life story of C. Sankaran Nair, who took on Michael O’Dwyer in court after identifying him as responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.”This will be the proudest film of mine,” R. Madhavan stated during a recent media interaction. “The message is loud and clear. We are a very proud country with very proud people. The days of taking an Indian for granted and thinking of us as weak are gone.”The director emphasizes that the film remains relevant today, addressing themes of truth, justice, and how misinformation can obscure historical realities.

Box Office Expectations and Advance Bookings

Reports on advance booking figures show slight variations across sources. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Kesari Chapter 2 had generated ₹2.06 crore in advance bookings as of April 17. The film has sold over 24,935 tickets across 3,503 shows nationwide, with Delhi NCR leading in pre-sales, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.Earlier figures showed the film had crossed Rs 1.02 crore in total advance bookings, later climbing to Rs 1.86 crore. By April 17 evening, the number had reached Rs 2.06 crore, showing steady growth in audience interest.While the advance booking numbers are decent, they’re considered slightly below expectations for a star of Akshay Kumar’s caliber. However, the positive word-of-mouth from early screenings could potentially boost the opening weekend numbers.

Celebrity Endorsements and Early Reviews

Several prominent personalities who attended advance screenings have shared enthusiastic reactions: Rana Daggubati described it as "a powerful, important film that stands tall and stays deep with the Indian in you," and expressed interest in releasing the film in Telugu. Former UN official Lakshmi Puri called it "a powerful, deeply moving and evocative cinematic ode to India's freedom movement and to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh."Businessman Rahul Sharma was deeply moved by the film, stating it "deserves a National Award" while praising the performances.Netizens have also been generous with praise, with many calling the film "absolutely phenomenal" and "a powerful tribute to India's indomitable spirit." One social media user wrote: "#KesariChapter2 is absolutely phenomenal. A powerful tribute to India's indomitable spirit. What a film with outstanding performances by @ActorMadhavan, @akshaykumar, and even @ananyapandayy. Gripping courtroom drama infused with patriotism."Another fan demanded a "National Award for #AkshayKumar" calling it the "Best movie of 2025 loading. Blockbuster." The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given the film an 'A' certificate without requesting any cuts, allowing the filmmaker's vision to reach audiences intact.

Cast and Crew

Kesari Chapter 2 has been jointly produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari under the banners of Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films.Besides the main trio of Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, the film also features Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, and Alexx O’Nell in important roles.

A Potential Career Revival

For Akshay Kumar, who has faced a string of box office disappointments in recent years, Kesari Chapter 2 represents a potential return to form. Industry analysts suggest that the film’s patriotic theme and powerful storytelling could resonate with audiences across India.The combination of historical significance, courtroom drama, and stellar performances might be exactly what the actor needs to reclaim his position as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars.

Star-Studded Screenings and Events

Prior to the nationwide release, special screenings were held in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chandigarh. The team also visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings ahead of the film’s release.The Mumbai screening on April 17 turned into a high-profile Bollywood gathering with celebrities including Kajol, Karan Johar, Suhana Khan, Tiger Shroff, Rasha Thadani, and Twinkle Khanna in attendance. A heartwarming moment was captured when Kajol gave Ananya Panday a warm hug on the red carpet, showing support for the young actress in this significant role.At one of these events, Akshay Kumar made a special request to audiences: “I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film.”Ananya Panday also expressed her gratitude for the positive reactions from audiences who attended the advance screenings, while the team thanked supporters for their encouragement.—Will Kesari Chapter 2 live up to the expectations and mark Akshay Kumar’s triumphant return to box office success? Tomorrow’s release will provide the answer. Are you planning to watch this historical drama in theaters?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read More:- ‘Jaat’ Film Review: Sunny Deol Delivers Box Office Sixer While Salman’s ‘Sikandar’ Gets Bowled Out!!