While ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ continues to win hearts and praise from critics and audiences alike, lead actor Ananya Panday has found herself at the centre of divided opinions. Some viewers have lauded her portrayal of Dilreet Gill, a fiery young lawyer, while others criticised her acting and dialect. Director Karan Singh Tyagi has now stepped in to defend her.

In an interview with News18, Tyagi pointed to the overwhelming love Panday’s character received in theatres. “Audiences clapped during her entry scene,” he shared. “There was a screening in Hyderabad recently—people sent me videos. She walked into a courtroom full of men as the only female lawyer, and the applause said it all. That’s the perfect answer to online criticism.”

Tyagi acknowledged the increasingly toxic nature of social media, saying, “People jump to conclusions easily. There’s unnecessary hate and clickbait everywhere. I support dissent and criticism—it helps us grow—but the hate often turns toxic. We must learn to live with this side of social media.”

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He also revealed why he chose Panday for the role, citing her emotionally charged performance in ‘Gehraiyaan’ as a turning point. “I was moved by her in that film. For ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, she trained for over a year in dialect and body language. She even observed real-life female lawyers at the Bombay High Court.”

Produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ stars Akshay Kumar as Advocate C. Sankaran Nair, alongside R. Madhavan, Ananya Panday, Regina Cassandra, and others. Based on ‘The Case That Shook the Empire’, the historical courtroom drama has grossed RS 64.4 crore worldwide in just six days, resonating with audiences for its powerful storytelling and performances.

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