As the much-anticipated film Kesari Chapter 2 gears up for its theatrical release on April 18, 2025, lead star Akshay Kumar has a heartfelt message for his fans: don’t miss the beginning of the film. At a special screening held in Mumbai, Kumar emphasized the importance of the opening moments and urged audiences to arrive early at the theatres.
Speaking to the paparazzi at the screening, Akshay said, "When you come to watch this film, don't miss the beginning. It is one of the most important films. The first 10 minutes of this film is the most important thing. I am sure that this film will reach you through your camera. The people who have decided to watch this film will know that this film has not come late. It has come at the right time. And the 10 minutes of this film starts from there."
Prior to the Mumbai event, Kesari Chapter 2 had its grand premiere in Delhi on April 15, attended by several prominent political leaders and dignitaries, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Minister Anurag Thakur. Akshay Kumar and co-star R. Madhavan were also present at the high-profile event.
Expressing gratitude for the support, Akshay said, “We are very grateful that sir has organized and hosted this whole thing—the whole premiere, whatever you may call it—and I just hope that people have loved it, or whoever, all the friends who have come here, and they must have seen the movie, but I would say, it's better you ask me what you thought about it.”
The actor also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging the contributions of lawyer and nationalist C. Sankaran Nair, the character Akshay portrays in the film. “I would say that I'm very, very grateful and happy that he has seen this and acknowledged it… But he knows about it, and he knew it from the beginning, and that's very kind of him to say, and it happened when the movie was getting released,” he added.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is a spiritual sequel to the 2019 hit Kesari. While the original focused on the Battle of Saragarhi, the new installment dives into the courtroom drama that followed the tragic 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The story is inspired by The Case That Shook The Empire, a book by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, and showcases the fearless fight for justice led by C. Sankaran Nair.
The film features a gripping showdown between Akshay’s character and R. Madhavan’s Neville McKinley, a lawyer defending the British Crown. With Kesari Chapter 2, the filmmakers aim to honor the spirit of India’s freedom struggle and the resilience of its people.
In the lead-up to its release, Kesari Chapter 2 has generated considerable buzz, especially after being passed with an adult certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with zero cuts. This certification has raised curiosity about the film's strong content.
Fans are eager to see how the sequel fares at the box office. Analysts predict that Kesari Chapter 2 will likely earn between 8-10 crore net at the Indian box office on its opening day, which is a decent score considering its adult certification and courtroom drama genre. It is also expected to score the sixth biggest opening among Good Friday releases of Bollywood, surpassing John Abraham’s Rocky Handsome (7.06 crores).
Some of the top Good Friday openers of Bollywood include:
- Baaghi 2 – 25.10 crores
- Housefull 2 – 14 crores
- 2 States – 12.42 crores
- Himmatwala – 12 crores
- Crew – 10.21 crores
- Rocky Handsome – 7.06 crores
- Dum Maaro Dum – 5 crores
The release on Good Friday, combined with the absence of other major films in the Hindi belt, is expected to contribute positively to the film's performance. The stage is set for a successful opening day, with decent movement in pre-sales indicating that audiences are ready to flock to the theatres.
At the special screening in Mumbai, the star-studded guest list included Ananya Panday, Kajol, Twinkle Khanna, Vicky Kaushal, and many others. Ananya was seen embracing Kajol warmly, while Akshay Kumar arrived hand-in-hand with his wife, Twinkle Khanna, capturing the attention of the media and fans alike.
As the excitement builds, moviegoers are eager to experience Kesari Chapter 2, which promises to deliver a hard-hitting tale that resonates with the spirit of justice and resilience.
With its rich narrative and strong performances, Kesari Chapter 2 aims not only to entertain but also to educate audiences about a pivotal moment in Indian history. As the film approaches its release, fans and critics alike are watching closely to see how it unfolds on the big screen.
