iSmart News : చెన్నై లో చిరుత… చిక్కదు దొరకదు | కరెంట్ టవరెక్కి తాగుబోతు డిమాండ్

April 13, 1919 — a date that bleeds through the pages of Indian history. It marks 106 years since the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where thousands of innocent civilians were mercilessly gunned down in Amritsar by British forces. In 2025, this dark chapter of colonial cruelty is being revisited through cinema in ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, the directorial debut of Karan Singh Tyagi.

This powerful period drama isn’t just a retelling of the massacre — it’s a tribute to C. Sankaran Nair, the fearless Indian lawyer and political figure who challenged the might of the British Empire in the aftermath of the killings. Once a respected member of the Viceroy’s council and knighted by the British, Nair shocked the establishment when he resigned in protest and exposed the massacre for what it truly was — not a riot response, but a calculated act of genocide.

The film, starring Akshay Kumar in what director Tyagi calls one of his most emotionally charged roles, explores the brutal events of April 13 and the empire’s subsequent attempts to suppress the truth. From banning regional newspapers to destroying literature like the powerful poem Khooni Baisakhi, the British left no stone unturned in silencing dissent.

“There was an intentional narrative to paint the victims as terrorists,” says Tyagi. “Even a plane was flown over Jallianwala Bagh to confirm the crowd size. Troops were brought in — except the Sikh infantry, who were deliberately left out because they would have refused such an order.”

Based on the acclaimed book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat — Nair’s great-grandson and his wife — the film digs deep into untold stories, eyewitness accounts, and extensive historical research. Tyagi draws from works by scholars like Kim Wagner, V.N. Datta, and Kishwar Desai to bring authenticity and perspective.

What sets Kesari Chapter 2 apart is not just its historical importance, but its relevance in today’s “post-truth” world, where fake news often distorts public perception. “This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a reminder to stand up for truth,” Tyagi says. “Kesari — the colour of revolution — symbolizes that fight. Sankaran Nair carried that spirit when he told the British Viceroy that the empire was being run by yes-men, and even a jamadar could take his place.”

Despite being backed by a star like Akshay Kumar, the film originated as a passion project. Tyagi praises Kumar’s commitment and emotional connection to the story, adding that the actor drew from stories passed down by his grandfather and father.

As the film approaches release, Tyagi leaves audiences with a quote from Pablo Neruda, used poignantly in the film:
“Empires perish because they listened to their lawyers and ministers, and not to their poets. Empires have to listen to the common people.”

Kesari Chapter 2 is not just a film — it’s a reminder that revolutions begin with truth, and history must never be forgotten.