Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review: Bollywood’s obsession with patriotism, nationalism and jingoism isn’t going to die anytime soon. Like a public service platform, every other week, it brings to us a film filled to the brim with desh bhakti to remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices made by our brave men and of the illustrious country we live in, because, god forbid, what if we forget? This week, it’s Dharma Productions’ turn – with Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story Of Jallianwala Bagh.
Before we proceed further, let us reiterate that Kesari Chapter 2 is just a spiritual sequel to Kesari and has no connection to the Battle of Saragarhi. The only common link between both the films is Akshay Kumar and his story of relentless courage. But to be honest, Kesari Chapter 2 brings to the table so much more than chest-thumping patriotism and narabaazi. It largely is a courtroom drama and that precisely is what sets it apart from the plethora of other patriotic films. To put it more correctly, Kesari Chapter 2 is a historical film.
Having said that, there are a handful of scenes – like the one when Akshay’s Justice Sankaran Nair realises that it’s time to stop being a lackey to the British and take matters into his own hands and bring justice to oppressed Indians – that evoke the same sentiment that you may feel while watching a well-made patriotic drama. The film opens with a sequence that takes place on the fateful date of April 13, 1919 – the day of the infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A big crowd of Sikhs gathered at Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh during Baisakhi to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
We get a glimpse of a young boy named Barkat Singh, who has also arrived there with his mother and younger sister. As they prepare to protest against the oppression and ill-treatment meted out to them and their fellow brothers and sisters, they spot an aeroplane flying above them. Shortly thereafter, General Reginald Dyer arrives with his men – including the Gorkha troop – and starts firing at the innocent Sikhs.
