‘Kesari Chapter 2’ is all set to hit the big screen today, and it is off to a powerful start! Starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, this courtroom drama has sold over 56,969 tickets before its release and earned Rs. 3 crore in advance bookings, as per trade tracker Sacnilk. Even before audiences stepped into cinemas, the buzz around this film was strong. Out of the Rs. 3 crore, around Rs. 1.84 crore worth of tickets were sold through regular advance bookings, with the rest coming from block bookings.
With the film releasing on Good Friday, a national holiday, it's expected to pick up even more steam at the box office. ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ is making waves not just with ticket sales but also with its massive release across India. On its opening day alone, the film is set to play in 4,494 shows nationwide. Key regions include Maharashtra with 1,029 shows, Gujarat with 722, Delhi with 439, Uttar Pradesh with 296, and Punjab with 218. This large-scale rollout shows the makers’ strong faith in the film’s appeal and its potential to draw huge crowds during the long Good Friday weekend.
A powerful story after ‘Kesari’, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ is a sequel to the 2019 hit ‘Kesari’. While the first film focused on the heroic Battle of Saragarhi, this one dives into the intense courtroom drama that followed the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It tells the real-life story of C. Sankaran Nair, a brave Indian lawyer who took on the British Empire in court. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film is based on the book 'The Case That Shook the Empire' by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. Akshay Kumar plays C. Sankaran Nair, while R. Madhavan takes on the role of Neville McKinley, the British lawyer defending the Crown. Ananya Panday plays a modern character named Dilreet Gill, who adds a contemporary touch to this historical tale.
Filmmaker Karan Singh Tyagi’s ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ has released online and it has received a lot of love from the critics as well as the audiences. The film features R Madhavan as the rival lawyer who is the antagonist to Akshay Kumar’s protagonist C Sankaran Nair. The actor is getting a lot of love and acclaim for his performance as the main antagonist. As ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ gets love from the audience, here’s a look at R Madhavan’s villain era rule and how he transformed from being a chocolate to a solid antagonist.
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has collected Rs 2.06 crore in advance bookings. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film also stars R Madhavan and Ananya Panday. With early reviews calling it powerful and gripping, the film is poised for a solid start. Based on real events, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ focuses on the courageous life of C. Sankaran Nair, a barrister who dared to take on the British Empire in court after the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Akshay plays Nair, while R Madhavan essays the role of British lawyer Neville McKinley, and Ananya Panday stars as Dilreet Gill.
Audience response from early screenings has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans are praising the performances, particularly those of Akshay and Madhavan. Social media is buzzing with words like “brilliant,” “gripping,” and “emotionally powerful,” especially for courtroom scenes depicting Nair’s legal battle against colonial forces. At the special screening held a day before release, Akshay Kumar addressed the audience with a heartfelt request. “I humbly request you all to please keep your phones in your pockets and listen to every dialogue of this film. It will mean a lot. If you try to check your Instagram during the movie, it will be a humiliation for the film,” he said.
Reflecting on the intense scenes in ‘Kesari 2’, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said the film left her deeply emotional. “This film gives you goosebumps,” she remarked, talking about the powerful depiction of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. She emphasized the importance of remembering unknown martyrs and called for citizens to dedicate themselves to the country. Quoting a patriotic line, she said, “Tan Samarpit, Man Samarpit, aur ye jeevan samarpit…”
‘Kesari Chapter 2’ opened to packed theatres across India. Advance bookings had already crossed Rs 2.06 crore, and early morning shows witnessed energetic crowds. With a long weekend ahead, trade analysts expect numbers to soar further by the evening. The film is playing in over 3700 shows across India, including 814 in Maharashtra, 594 in Gujarat, 413 in Delhi, and 199 in Punjab. The buzz around the film is high, especially among fans of courtroom dramas and patriotic stories. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film stars Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday. Early reactions suggest it could be one of Akshay’s strongest performances yet.
As the film continues to gain traction, political leaders and the film’s stars attended a special premiere, where PM Narendra Modi honored Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair’s legacy and his stand against British rule post-Jallianwala Bagh massacre during his Haryana visit. Shashi Tharoor expressed his excitement for ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, celebrating C. Sankaran Nair’s story being told on the big screen. He praised the film for spotlighting him, stating, “A fearless patriot & the first Malayali President of Congress who took on the British after Jallianwala Bagh massacre.”
The emotional weight of the film moved viewers to tears, with many calling it a “brilliantly made film” and even a “masterpiece.” “Super se bhi upar,” said one fan, reflecting the overall sentiment of the audience. Fans couldn’t stop raving about Akshay Kumar’s performance, declaring that “Ye acting Akshay Kumar ke alawa koi aur kar nahi sakta tha.” The film, with its gripping story and incredible portrayal of historical events, had the crowd chanting “Khiladiyo Ka Khiladi” and “Ek Khiladi sab par bhaari” as they expressed their admiration for Akshay’s role in the film.
‘Kesari Chapter 2’ has officially released in cinemas today, April 18, 2025. The film is witnessing a wide release with over 3700 shows across India on Day 1. In Maharashtra alone, it is scheduled for 814 shows, followed by 594 in Gujarat, 413 in Delhi, and 199 in Punjab. Industry tracker Sacnilk reports that ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ earned Rs 2.06 crore through advance bookings. With strong early reactions and a wide release, trade experts predict the film could earn close to Rs 9 crore on Day 1, April 18, 2025. That would make it one of the stronger openers for Akshay Kumar in recent times. With a patriotic theme and big names attached, the film is expected to grow with word-of-mouth in evening and weekend shows.
