April 15, 2025: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar expressed heartfelt gratitude to Union Minister and senior BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri for organising a special screening of his latest historical drama, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, in Delhi.
The film explores the events following the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre, focusing on the intense courtroom battle between Akshay Kumar’s character, C Sankaran Nair — a legal luminary who took on the British Empire — and R Madhavan’s portrayal of Neville McKinley, a barrister defending the British Crown.
Speaking to the media after the screening, Akshay said, “We are very grateful that sir (Hardeep Singh Puri) has organised and hosted this whole thing — the whole premiere or whatever you call it. I hope people love it.”
When asked if he was aware of the historical legal battle prior to filming, the actor admitted his surprise. “No, I didn’t know about it. I had no idea. I knew only what was in the history books. They never told us what happened after that. I also hope that the British government watches this movie and realises what went wrong.”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also praised the film, highlighting its role in bringing Indian history to life through the lens of cinema. “We are very privileged to have been given this opportunity to watch this film that not only promises to be but what I’m sure is a fantastic blockbuster. It focuses on a transformational period in our history, which takes history out of the textbooks and, with the talent and brilliance of Bollywood, brings it to all of you,” he said while addressing the audience at the theatre.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 stars Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan in powerful lead roles. The film continues the patriotic spirit of the first installment, delving deeper into the colonial injustices and the resilience of Indian freedom fighters.