section_path: Reception
section_name: Reception
paragraph_text: Reception
  
  Kesari Chapter 2 received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 12 critics' reviews are positive. Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5/5 noting, "On the whole, KESARI CHAPTER 2 is a hard-hitting courtroom drama and works due to the performances and treatment and also because it tells an untold and shocking chapter of Indian history. At the box office, it will need a strong word of mouth to sustain and emerge as a profitable venture. The adults only rating might restrict its business to some extent." Rishi Jogani in his review for Pinkvilla wrote, "Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-watch for its gripping courtroom drama, stellar performances, and unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in history. While the film’s commercial aspects like the loud score often detract from the movie's groundedness, its powerful second half, soulful music, and exceptional performances make it a compelling experience."
  
  Vineeta Kumar of India Today rated the film 3.5/5 noting, " Kesari Chapter 2 doesn't entirely rely on a chest-thumping, bulldozed sense of patriotism to win the audience's hearts - there's that hard-to-forget use of the F-word in an open court, and an elaborate dialogue explaining Hindu-Muslim unity. It unapologetically adds a bit of creative swag, and lets you be a part of the drama." Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated the film 4/5 calling it "a powerful and immensely engaging movie based on the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre and the fearless lawyer, Shankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar) who shook the foundation of the British Empire ". Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5/5 mentioning it as a film of its time, for its time, with dollops of patriotic fervour. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu was critical of the film writing, "It seems that after playing with ancient history, the big boys of Bollywood are meddling with modern history. While the dastardly act of the Empire needs to be exposed, the film, produced by Dharma Productions, milks the sacrifice of martyrs in Jallianwala Bagh to create a trumped-up narrative around the tragic episode. The disclaimer says it is a piece of fiction, but, as it turns out, it uses real incidents and characters to distort well-documented historical incidents that are easily available at the press of a button."
  
  Writing for The Hindustan Times, Rishabh Suri rated the film 4/5, praising the writing and Akshay Kumar's performance. Uday Bhatia of Mint gave a negative review writing, "As with Dharma’s other recent historical, Ae Watan Mere Watan (2024), this is a case of Hindi filmmakers being unable to recognise surefire material when they see it, and burying it under piles of nonsense. Nair’s actual journey is fascinating, criticising Gandhi, returning his decorations by the British, fighting a very public case on their soil. But Kesari 2 is interested in Nair only to the extent that he provides a broad outline for Kumar to shout and weep and proclaim his love for India." Titas Chowdhury of News18 rated the film 3.5/5 writing, "Akshay Kumar sheds off his aura as a superstar and chooses to lean on his acting prowess, taking it a notch higher than Sarfira."
  
  Kesari Chapter 2 received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 12 critics' reviews are positive. Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5/5 noting, "On the whole, KESARI CHAPTER 2 is a hard-hitting courtroom drama and works due to the performances and treatment and also because it tells an untold and shocking chapter of Indian history. At the box office, it will need a strong word of mouth to sustain and emerge as a profitable venture. The adults only rating might restrict its business to some extent." Rishi Jogani in his review for Pinkvilla wrote, "Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-watch for its gripping courtroom drama, stellar performances, and unflinching portrayal of a dark chapter in history. While the film’s commercial aspects like the loud score often detract from the movie's groundedness, its powerful second half, soulful music, and exceptional performances make it a compelling experience."
  
  Vineeta Kumar of India Today rated the film 3.5/5 noting, " Kesari Chapter 2 doesn't entirely rely on a chest-thumping, bulldozed sense of patriotism to win the audience's hearts - there's that hard-to-forget use of the F-word in an open court, and an elaborate dialogue explaining Hindu-Muslim unity. It unapologetically adds a bit of creative swag, and lets you be a part of the drama." Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated the film 4/5 calling it "a powerful and immensely engaging movie based on the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre and the fearless lawyer, Shankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar) who shook the foundation of the British Empire ". Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film 2.5/5 mentioning it as a film of its time, for its time, with dollops of patriotic fervour. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu was critical of the film writing, "It seems that after playing with ancient history, the big boys of Bollywood are meddling with modern history. While the dastardly act of the Empire needs to be exposed, the film, produced by Dharma Productions, milks the sacrifice of martyrs in Jallianwala Bagh to create a trumped-up narrative around the tragic episode. The disclaimer says it is a piece of fiction, but, as it turns out, it uses real incidents and characters to distort well-documented historical incidents that are easily available at the press of a button."
  
  Writing for The Hindustan Times, Rishabh Suri rated the film 4/5, praising the writing and Akshay Kumar's performance. Uday Bhatia of Mint gave a negative review writing, "As with Dharma’s other recent historical, Ae Watan Mere Watan (2024), this is a case of Hindi filmmakers being unable to recognise surefire material when they see it, and burying it under piles of nonsense. Nair’s actual journey is fascinating, criticising Gandhi, returning his decorations by the British, fighting a very public case on their soil. But Kesari 2 is interested in Nair only to the extent that he provides a broad outline for Kumar to shout and weep and proclaim his love for India." Titas Chowdhury of News18 rated the film 3.5/5 writing, "Akshay Kumar sheds off his aura as a superstar and chooses to lean on his acting prowess, taking it a notch higher than Sarfira."