At the trailer launch of his upcoming film Kesari 2 in New Delhi, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar shared heartfelt insights about the film, revealing why it is so personal to him. The actor spoke about his deep connection to the story, which is rooted in his family history and India's untold stories of bravery. Akshay emphasized the importance of this film and its emotional significance, as he discussed the inspiration behind it.
In his words, Akshay shared, "This is a very personal film. My father was born just opposite Jallianwala Bagh, in a street called Aloo Katra Wali. My grandfather witnessed all the tragic events that took place there. This makes it a very personal and important film for me."
He went on to explain the passion with which the film was made: "We made this film out of anger, because as I heard the stories from my father and grandfather, and when Karan Tyagi, who directed the film, helped me understand the whole narrative—something truly moved me. Sankaran Nair, who fought the British in the courts, his grandson wrote a book that became the basis of this film. I want to thank him for writing this book, which told us about things we never knew before."
Akshay also brought attention to a key moment in history: "We never knew about the case that Sankaran Nair fought, but in that court, he defeated a British judge. That was the only case we won in all those years."
Looking towards the future, Akshay expressed his desire to create more films based on the valor and bravery of Punjab and India: "I want to make Kesari 3 and Kesari 4 because there are so many untold chapters of bravery from Punjab. There are numerous stories from across India that can be turned into films. Our history books, written by the British, often omit these stories, but through films, I want to bring them out and showcase the real history of our country."
Through Kesari 2, Akshay Kumar aims not only to entertain but to educate the public about India's unsung heroes and lost narratives, offering a new perspective on history often overlooked in traditional textbooks.
Kesari 2 starring Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan and Ananya Pandey is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film is all set to hit the cinemas on 18 April, 2025.