Ahead of the highly anticipated release of Kesari 2, actor Akshay Kumar and producer Karan Johar have spoken out strongly against recent controversial remarks made by the granddaughter of General Reginald Dyer. Her description of the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre as “looters” has sparked widespread outrage. The film, in which Akshay portrays lawyer C Sankaran Nair, brings to light the real-life story of a man who dared to challenge the British Empire in court after the brutal massacre that claimed over 1,600 lives in Amritsar.
Reflecting on the film’s powerful narrative, Karan Johar emphasized the importance of telling stories grounded in historical truth. “I have heard stories of true valour and bravery of unsung heroes various times. These stories have been embedded in the archives of history and not portrayed on celluloid. This took me back to a few stories that came on my table like Raazi, that film went on to prove that true stories resonate gorgeously, it could strike a chord with the audience. There was also The Ghazi Attack, and Kesari,” he said.
Karan Johar further elaborated on the relevance of Kesari 2, describing it as a vital piece of storytelling rooted in the book The Case That Shook The Empire. “This one is an absolutely outstanding story of C Sankaran Nair, based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire. We knew the massacre, but none of us knew the truth. Every time we have watched the tragedy, we have felt the pain, the anger. What makes us all angry is that there isn’t an apology even now. Neither the crown, nor the monarchy or the British Government apologized. We came out of the British Raaj valiantly as a country, but as a nation we deserve an apology and this film demands just that,” he added.
The controversy began after General Dyer’s granddaughter defended her grandfather in a recent interview, calling him “an honourable man, greatly liked by the Indians” and asserting that he knew multiple Indian languages. In a statement that shocked many, she asked a family member of a massacre victim, “Was he a looter? I think history is history and you’ve got to accept that.”
Kesari 2 not only aims to bring justice to the memories of those who suffered but also reignites a conversation about historical accountability and the narratives that have long been silenced.
