Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday are set to star in an upcoming historical drama based on the life of C. Sankaran Nair, one of India’s most prominent barristers. The much-anticipated film, which was initially scheduled for release on March 14, 2025, has now been rescheduled to April 18, 2025. The film has officially been titled ‘Kesari Chapter 2 – The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh.’
This cinematic venture is being produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films. The movie is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and revolves around the extraordinary life and legal battle of C. Sankaran Nair, a fearless advocate who stood up against British rule. His relentless pursuit of truth led him to challenge the British Raj, particularly in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to share the latest update regarding the film’s title and release date. In a post on Instagram, he confirmed:“Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday’s upcoming film is officially titled ‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh.’ The film, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, is now set to release in theaters worldwide on April 18, 2025.”
Dharma Productions had previously teased the project on their Instagram handle back on October 18, announcing the original release date of March 14, 2025. The caption in the post had read:“Ek ankahi kahani, ek ansuna sach… Starring Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, this untitled film is set to hit cinemas on March 14, 2025. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi.”
The movie is inspired by the book ‘The Case That Shook The Empire,’ written by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. Notably, Raghu Palat is the great-grandson of C. Sankaran Nair, making this film deeply personal and historically significant. The book narrates the compelling legal battle that Nair fought against the British, aiming to expose the horrifying truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.
The first announcement regarding the project was made back in 2021, when filmmaker Karan Johar expressed his excitement about bringing this remarkable story to the silver screen. Taking to Instagram, he shared:“Extremely excited and honored to bring the untold story of C. Sankaran Nair, a historic man, to the big screen.”
At that time, while the project was confirmed, details about the cast were not disclosed. However, the production house, Dharma Productions, also released an official statement emphasizing the significance of this story. The statement read:“This film unveils the legendary courtroom battle that C. Sankaran Nair fought against the British Raj in an attempt to reveal the horrifying truth of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. His bravery ignited the flames of the freedom movement across India and remains a powerful testament to the strength of truth and justice.”
For those unfamiliar with the historical figure, Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was not only a renowned barrister but also a key figure in India’s struggle for independence. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress and was a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. His contributions to the Indian legal system and his fight against colonial oppression remain an integral part of India’s history.
With Akshay Kumar taking on the lead role alongside R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, expectations are high for this period drama. Given the film’s gripping historical narrative, powerful courtroom drama, and strong patriotic undertones, ‘Kesari Chapter 2 – The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh’ is poised to be one of the most awaited releases of 2025.