New Delhi: Dharma Productions on Thursday released the trailer of Kesari Chapter 2, the historical drama that traces the legal battle following the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Kumar is playing Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, a lawyer from the Palakkad district, who was also a nationalist and statesman. He sues the British Empire for genocide over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The movie is set to release on 18 April, a few days after the festival of Baisakhi. The massacre occurred on 13 April 1919.
The trailer launch in Delhi was attended by Akshay Kumar, producer Karan Johar, director Karan Singh Tyagi, along with actors R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday. Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions was also present.
“Our histories have been written based on the British version of things. I want to show the history from our perspective,” said Kumar. “I want to make Kesari 3 and 4 because there are many stories that need to come out of Punjab,” he added.
The next story in the chapter might be that of Hari Singh Nalwa, the first commander-in-chief of Sikh Khalsa army.
Kumar admitted it’s a deeply personal movie for him, as his father grew up in a house right opposite the Jallianwala Bagh, and his grandfather had witnessed what happened during the period.
The actor has portrayed several famous Indians on screen, from social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham in Pad Man (2018), Ishar Singh in Kesari (2019) to emperor Prithviraj Chauhan in Samrat Prithviraj (2022).
Also read: “I’ll keep working hard”: Akshay Kumar speaks on recent box office setbacks
Not a homage
Kesari 2 has been directed by debutante Karan Singh Tyagi, who is also a Harvard-educated lawyer.
“This is not a story of bravery but of the country’s unity. It is not a homage, but asking for an apology from the British Empire,” said Karan Johar about the upcoming movie.
Dharma Productions Entertainment is also venturing into Punjab with another film. Akaal, starring Gippy Grewal will release on 10 April this year.
“It gives me so much pride to have Dharma Productions associating with the legendary & accomplished Gippy Grewal to mark our first foray into Punjabi cinema. Akaal not only represents the culture & history of Punjab but I am positive it will resonate on a deeper level with the entirety of India and beyond. Which is why we are even prouder to present Akaal being the first Punjabi film to be released in Hindi in cinemas worldwide,” wrote Johar in an Instagram post on 10 March.
Johar spoke about his experience of being a Punjabi and growing up listening to stories about Punjab and its history in the press conference, while responding to questions.
Akaal is a period drama set in the 1840s, following the events after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Singer-actor Gippy plays the character of Akaal Singh.