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Akshay Kumar's latest historical drama, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of
Jallianwala Bagh
, opened in theatres on 18 April 2025 to positive reviews and strong word of mouth. However, despite the buzz and high expectations surrounding the sequel, the film registered a relatively modest opening at the box office.
According to early estimates from Sacnilk.com, the film earned approximately Rs 7.50 crore on its first day — a figure significantly below the projected Rs 15 crore mark. The anticipated opening was based on multiple favourable factors, including the sequel advantage and the extended Easter holiday weekend. A stronger debut would have placed the film in the same range as Akshay Kumar's earlier 2025 release
Sky Force
, which opened in January with higher numbers.
Instead, the film’s initial performance aligns more closely with Sunny Deol’s Jaat, which reportedly garnered Rs 7.4 crore on its opening day. Should Kesari Chapter 2 follow a similar trajectory, trade analysts predict a first-week collection in the Rs 50–60 crore range. However, the ongoing holiday weekend could still boost its numbers in the coming days and help the film cross the Rs 100 crore mark.
Till date, Akshay's 'Sky Force', Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava' and Salman Khan's 'Sikandar' are the only Bollywood films to make it past the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office in 2025.
Despite its slow start, reports state that the film has managed to record one of the highest Bollywood box office opening weekends.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film revisits a harrowing chapter in Indian history, focusing on the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Akshay Kumar stars as C. Sankaran Nair, a fearless lawyer who challenges the British Empire in court. Opposite him, R. Madhavan plays Neville McKinley, a British lawyer defending the Crown, while Ananya Panday appears in a key supporting role.
The film’s release coincides with the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, adding a layer of historical resonance. Speaking at the Delhi premiere, attended by dignitaries including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Kumar reflected on the importance of the film’s message.
"I only knew what the history books taught me about Jallianwala Bagh," he said. Ahead of the release, the actor shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing, "In the film Kesari Chapter 2, I am not acting merely as an artist, but as an Indian. This is not just a film… this is an unfinished account, this is a painful memory… and finally — this is justice."
With critical acclaim on its side and a strong nationalistic theme, Kesari Chapter 2 still holds promise for the coming days. The film's true test, however, will be how it performs over the weekend and whether it can capitalise on the holiday momentum.
English (US)