Priyanka
Share
Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Pandey are set to come together for Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, a powerful drama based on true events. The film, which recently unveiled its teaser, features Akshay Kumar as a fiery and influential lawyer who confronts a British judge in court. The character is not fictional—it’s based on the real-life Indian nationalist and legal legend, Sir C. Sankaran Nair, who played a key role in uncovering the truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was born on July 11, 1857, in the Palghat district of British India. He pursued his law degree in Madras (now Chennai) and quickly rose to prominence as one of the country's most respected legal minds. His illustrious career included serving as the Advocate-General of Madras from 1906 to 1908, a Judge of the Madras High Court from 1908 to 1915, and later, as a Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council and Education Minister from 1915 to 1919.
Nair was widely respected, even by the British, for his commitment to progressive reform. He advocated for gender equality, opposed caste discrimination, fought against child marriage, and supported free primary education. Recognizing his service, the British government knighted him in 1912. He had already been active in politics, having joined the Madras Legislative Council in 1890 and presiding over the Indian National Congress in 1897. Despite being knighted and holding high office, Nair remained a staunch nationalist unafraid to voice his opposition to colonial policies.
In 1919, disillusioned by the British government's failure to admit responsibility for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair resigned from his post in protest. His resignation was one of the highest-profile actions taken by an Indian official at the time and is believed to have contributed to the eventual lifting of press censorship and martial law in Punjab. In his book Gandhi and Anarchy, Nair strongly criticized British officials, particularly Michael O'Dwyer, for their actions and attitudes. His work was instrumental in bringing the truth of the Punjab tragedy to light.
Kesari Chapter 2 aims to honor Sir C. Sankaran Nair’s legacy and bravery, showcasing a crucial chapter in India's struggle against colonial injustice. The film, through its compelling narrative and strong performances, seeks to highlight a lesser-known hero whose courage and conviction left a lasting impact on the nation’s history.
