At a recent press conference in Mumbai on Friday for the upcoming film Kesari 2, actress Ananya Panday shared insights into her transformative journey while working on the project. The event shed light on the profound impact the film had on her perspective regarding India's history and freedom struggle.
Panday recounted her initial reaction upon reading the script, describing it as an emotional experience that prompted numerous questions about the historical events depicted. She remarked, "When I read the script, everything was emotional. I had many questions like, did this really happen? We had studied this in history, but not with such detail. I learned a lot from this script."
She emphasized the importance of recognizing the weight of the sacrifices made for India's freedom, a sentiment she felt more deeply through her involvement in the film. Panday reflected, "The most important thing I learned is that as a younger generation, we take our freedom lightly. We believe it's our right. But being part of this film, I felt the weight of the sacrifices made for our freedom. I understand that now. I think I am not the same person after doing this film."
Discussing her journey with Kesari 2, Panday shared that she was introduced to the project in 2021. She expressed, "It's been a long journey. I was told about this film in 2021. My journey has been very special."
Embracing the challenges of her role, she continued, "When they came to me, I couldn't imagine myself in it. I wondered, how am I going to do this? It's going to be a big challenge. I've done certain kinds of roles before, but I was ready and excited to take this challenge."
Highlighting her dedication to the role, Panday mentioned her efforts to connect with the character and the film's cultural context. She stated, "Honestly, I am a big learner. I was a very keen student in school. I was excited to be part of this film. To sum it all up, I learned Punjabi, got the chance to work with Akshay sir—I'm a big fan of him. My dad has done a lot of films with him, and finally, I got a chance. To sum it all up, I am very proud of this film."
Kesari 2, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, is slated for release on April 18, 2025, coinciding with Good Friday. The film also stars Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, bringing to the forefront the untold story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the relentless pursuit of justice by C. Sankaran Nair.