Akshay Kumar Starrer Kesari Chapter 2 Brings Back C Sankaran Nair’s Forgotten Fight; Director Karan Singh Tyagi Shares Insights Of The Courtroom Drama

As we await the release of Kesari Chapter 2, director Karan Singh Tyagi shares his take on making the courtroom drama.

Karan Singh Tyagi Shares Insights On Kesari Chapter 2

Together, the talented ensemble, guided by Tyagi’s visionary approach, seeks to immerse audiences in the inspiring world of C Sankaran Nair—a true champion for human rights. April 13, 1919, is a date forever marked by tragedy. Exactly 106 years ago, thousands of unarmed civilians gathered in peaceful protest at Jallianwala Bagh, only to face a deadly barrage of bullets. Fast forward to 2025, and director Karan Singh Tyagi is making his cinematic debut with Kesari Chapter 2. The story is about C Sankaran Nair, a man who dared to confront the British Empire for one of the most gruesome genocides.

The film illuminates how C Sankaran Nair, a senior Indian member of the Viceroy’s council and a former knight of the Empire, rose to defend the truth following the horrific massacre. It explores his relentless fight to demonstrate that this tragedy was not merely a response to a riot but a deliberate act of violence — what we now recognize as genocide.

Karan Singh Tyagi On Kesari Chapter 2’s Relevance

Director Karan Singh Tyagi believes the story is more relevant than ever. He says, “The event speaks to the present times that we live in. It’s a post-truth world where fake news is rampant. I was fascinated that when people read about the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, the next day, the truth was suppressed,” says Tyagi.

He also points out how the British tried to silence every voice that spoke against the massacre. “There were regional newspapers that wanted to report the truth, which got burned down. There’s this famous poem written by a survivor called Khooni Baisakhi—the British Empire went to great lengths to ban that poem. The Empire started spreading a fake narrative… where the victims were labelled as terrorists… I think it’s a fascinating story to bring to the people in 2025.”

Karan Singh Tyagi’s Approach To Making Kesari Chapter 2

Tyagi’s approach in the film is twofold — to explore what the British planned and did before and after April 13, 1919, and to examine the deeply human cost of it all. “This is the story of Sankaran Nair, who was knighted by the British Empire… For him to then take on the British in the most dramatic of ways is a story of valour. When he resigned from the council, he told the Viceroy [who can be compared to the PM today] that your empire is being run by yes-men so why don’t you make the jamadar replace me.”

Who Is Karan Singh Tyagi?

Tyagi is a student of law and politics and was drawn to the story for its deep political and emotional layers. The film is based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire. It is written by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, Nair’s great-grandson and his wife. Tyagi also dug deep into historical research — reading books by authors like Kim Wagner, V N Datta, and Kishwar Desai, along with survivor accounts and government commissions.

Karan Singh Tyagi On The Book’s Argument

One of the film’s boldest arguments is that the massacre wasn’t spontaneous — it was deliberate. “There was a plane that flew over the Bagh to check whether enough people had assembled. There were troops called in — Gurkha troops and Baluch soldiers — and the Sikh infantry was kept completely in the dark because they would be up in arms if they knew.”

Tyagi recalls being deeply disturbed after watching a documentary where General Dyer’s great-granddaughter defended his actions. Caroline Dyer called the people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh looters. Karan said, “That interview really angered me. She labelled the people who came to Jallianwala as looters. The film is important because you’ll be shocked to know that the empire went into overdrive after the massacre. They went to extreme lengths in order to laud General Dyer as a hero.”

Karan Singh Tyagi’s Message

Despite being a star-driven film featuring Akshay Kumar, Kesari Chapter 2 began as an independent project. For Tyagi, the message is clear: “Do you know Kesari is the colour of revolution? For us, the baton of revolution is being passed down to this story where one man is taking on the empire. Revolution seems like a big term but its essence is quite simple—standing up for what’s right.”

Tyagi also praises Kumar’s performance in the film. He said, “He’s been incredible in his support for me. I just want the audience to watch the film because I feel this is one of his best performances. He’s heard stories from his grandfather, from his father. So he feels a personal connection to the tragedy.” As the film nears release, Tyagi hopes audiences walk away with one core message. It is best captured in the Pablo Neruda quote used in the film, “Empires perish because they listened to their lawyers and ministers and not to their poets. Empires have to listen to the common people of this country.”

About Kesari Chapter 2

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the Indian people. The ones who dared to challenge the mighty British Empire. Dharma Productions, Cape Of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective present the film. Hiroo Yash Johar, Aruna Bhatia, Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, and Anand Tiwari produced it. Karan Singh Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra wrote the screenplay. It weaves together the intricate threads of history, drama, and action.

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.