At a star-studded trailer launch in Delhi, Akshay Kumar presented the highly anticipated first look of his upcoming historical drama, Kesari Chapter 2: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The event saw Akshay joined by producer Karan Johar, and co-stars R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday. While the trailer captivated audiences with its gripping visuals, a bold moment in the teaser quickly became the focal point of controversy.
In the clip, Akshay’s character, C. Sankaran Nair, a determined lawyer challenging British colonial rule, faces a British judge who says, “Don’t forget you’re still a slave of the British Empire.” Nair’s sharp response “F* you”caught viewers’ attention, sparking debate over the use of profanity.
Akshay Responds to Criticism
Addressing the controversy head-on, Akshay defended the line. “Yes, I used that word,” he admitted. “But what’s surprising is that people noticed that, but didn’t react to the line ‘you are still a slave.’ Isn’t that a bigger insult? If they had shot us with a gun, it wouldn’t have felt as offensive as being called a slave. I’d have preferred if people took issue with that word instead of focusing on the expletive.” His remarks were met with applause from the audience, with Karan Johar nodding in agreement, reinforcing the film’s bold approach.
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The Film’s Powerful Narrative
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is a follow-up to the 2019 film Kesari and shifts from the battlefield to a courtroom drama. It chronicles the true story of C. Sankaran Nair, a prominent lawyer who legally challenged the British Raj over the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Set in colonial Punjab, the film promises a poignant and tense portrayal of resistance, led by Akshay alongside R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday.
Kesari Chapter 2 is set to release in theatres on April 18.
