Bollywood’s latest courtroom drama, Kesari Chapter 2, led by Akshay Kumar, has made a decent start at the Indian box office, opening on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. Early estimates suggest the film is expected to collect between ₹7.25 crore and ₹8.25 crore on its opening day, aligning with trade expectations. The film's initial performance has been promising, aided by positive word of mouth and the holiday.
The movie opened with a morning collection of approximately ₹5.50 crore, but as the day progressed, ticket sales surged in the evening and night shows. This upward trend indicates a strong audience reception, which could lead to significant earnings over the weekend. The film is projected to earn around ₹30 crore over the three-day weekend, making it one of the better openers for Akshay Kumar in the post-pandemic landscape.
At the ticket counters, Kesari Chapter 2 is not alone; it is competing against another big release, Sunny Deol’s Jaat. The competition has intensified, especially since Jaat had a solid run in theaters for the past week. On its eighth day, Jaat recorded a morning occupancy of 7.70%, while Kesari Chapter 2 outperformed with an occupancy rate of around 12.67% on its opening day.
As of 3 PM on April 18, Kesari Chapter 2 had sold approximately 49,000 tickets, showcasing a staggering 139% higher admissions compared to Jaat, which sold around 20,490 tickets. This impressive ticket sales figure highlights the film's strong start and suggests that it might lead the box office battle as the weekend progresses.
Despite the positive response, some critics have pointed out that Kesari Chapter 2 is not a typical mass entertainer and its earnings are notably lower compared to other recent hits like Salman Khan’s Sikandar. For context, the first installment of the series, Kesari, earned ₹21.06 crore on its opening day, setting a high bar for its sequel.
The film, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, explores the historical events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, with Akshay Kumar portraying C. Sankaran Nair, a key figure in the fight against the British Raj. The cast also includes R. Madhavan as Advocate Neville McKinley and Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill. The film has been produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films.
At a special screening in Mumbai, Akshay Kumar emphasized the importance of the film's opening moments, urging fans not to miss the first 10 minutes, which depict the tragic events of Jallianwala Bagh. He stated, “To all the people who will be coming to watch the film, I request that you not miss the beginning of it. The first 10 minutes of this film is the most important thing.” His heartfelt appeal underscores the film's emotional weight and historical significance.
Looking ahead, the film is expected to show a significant increase in business on Saturday, April 19, and another spike on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The positive public reception gives hope for a strong hold on Monday, April 21, which will be crucial for its overall box office performance.
As the weekend unfolds, industry observers will closely monitor Kesari Chapter 2's performance against Jaat. While Kesari Chapter 2 is currently leading in ticket sales and occupancy, the competition remains fierce, and it remains to be seen whether it can maintain its momentum or be overtaken by the more established Jaat.
In conclusion, Kesari Chapter 2 has made a promising start, but the coming days will be pivotal in determining its long-term success at the box office. With strong word of mouth and the holiday boost, it has the potential to break records and redefine the genre in the post-pandemic film landscape.
