An Unheralded Story from India's Independence! Kesari Chapter 2 Hopes to Inspire Youngsters

On the 106th anniversary week of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the film Kesari Chapter 2 hits the screen worldwide. It is an appropriate movie for the occasion as it explores the legal crusade to hold the British accountable for the heinous Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

The movie is based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the grandchildren of Chettur Sankaran Nair, the man who bravely fought a case against  Michael O'Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab at the time of the horrendous act unleashed by the British police on hapless Punjabis (On April 13, 1919, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on unarmed civilians in Amritsar, killing hundreds).

It was a defamation case that O'Dwyer filed against Sankaran Nair, who had quit from Viceroy's Executive Council after the massacre.  Nair lost the case, but the proceedings helped the rest of the world become aware of the atrocities committed by the British in India. Rather than apologise, Nair took the moral high ground and paid the 500 pound damages.

Also Read: Rekha Gupta In Tears! Akshay Kumar’s ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ Leaves Delhi CM Emotional

Born in 1857 in Palakkad, Kerala, Nair hailed from a respected family and pursued law at the Madras Law College. He was a legal luminary right from his early days of law. He began practicing law at the Madras High Court in 1880 and quickly rose to prominence. His expertise earned him the position of Advocate General and later a permanent judgeship at the Madras High Court in 1908.  Nair also served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1897, advocating for self-rule and civil rights. He was appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council in 1915, becoming one of the highest-ranking Indian officials under British rule.

The movie is centered on the  case about which little is known in mainstream history so far.  Starring Akshay Kumar in the lead, the film --- titled Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh --- brings to life the remarkable story of Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair.

 R Madhavan plays the role of Neville McKinley, the Crown's counsel. Ananya Panday is cast as Dilreet Gill, one of the first women to enter law school at the time. Regina Cassandra plays the role of Palat Kunhimalu Amma, Nair's wife.

Backed by Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective, the film is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi.

Chettur Sankaran Nair was a symbol of courage and justice. By spotlighting his story, Kesari Chapter 2 aims to inspire a new generation to value the sacrifices made for India's freedom.

Also Read: Rekha Gupta In Tears! Akshay Kumar’s ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ Leaves Delhi CM Emotional