The climax of Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh has left moviegoers speechless, with many calling it a masterpiece of storytelling that brings history to life. But what really happened in the end? Did Akshay Kumar’s Sir C. Sankaran Nair actually defeat the British Empire through the power of law?
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The Real Story Behind the Movie’s Explosive Ending
The film’s ending centers around one of history’s most courageous legal battles—a David vs. Goliath fight that saw an Indian lawyer take on the entire British establishment. Kesari Chapter 2 is based on the book “The Case That Shook The Empire” by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, centered around C. Sankaran Nair and the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The Historic O’Dwyer vs. Nair Libel Case
The O’Dwyer v. Nair Libel Case was a libel case held in London against Sir C. Sankaran Nair by former Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, Sir Michael O’Dwyer. The case arose from statements made in Nair’s 1922 book “Gandhi and Anarchy,” in which he criticized O’Dwyer’s administration and held him responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
This wasn’t just any ordinary court case—it was a moral battleground where truth faced power.
What Makes the Ending So Powerful?
Audiences have been raving about the film’s climax, with viewers tweeting about getting “goosebumps in the climax” and calling it “not just a film”. The emotional impact comes from understanding what Sankaran Nair sacrificed for justice.
The Man Who Resigned for Principle
Nair resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919. This wasn’t a small gesture—he gave up one of the highest positions an Indian could hold in the colonial government because he couldn’t stay silent about the massacre.
A Legal Battle That Changed History
Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair courageously challenged British colonial injustice in courtroom after Jallianwala Bagh massacre, refusing to apologize even when penalized in a historic defamation trial against Michael O’Dwyer.
The Courtroom Showdown: Kumar vs. Madhavan
The film’s most gripping moments come from the legal battle between Akshay Kumar’s Sankaran Nair and R. Madhavan’s character. Madhavan plays Neville McKinley, described as ‘a genius’ who ‘doesn’t speak but roars’, creating an intense courtroom dynamic that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Akshay Kumar’s Career-Defining Performance
Akshay Kumar’s witty remark “The Empire is shrinking” wins cinephiles’ hearts, with the expression and delivery leaving audiences in great splits. This line encapsulates the film’s core message—that even the mightiest empires can be challenged through courage and truth.
Did Sankaran Nair Actually Win?
The movie’s ending is both triumphant and realistic. While Sankaran Nair faced legal consequences and financial penalties, his moral victory was immense. What emerged from this courtroom battle was as historic as Rabindranath Tagore relinquishing his knighthood following the horrors of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The True Victory
Sankaran Nair’s real victory wasn’t in a courtroom verdict—it was in refusing to be silenced. His courage inspired a generation and proved that truth could stand up to power, even when the odds seemed impossible.
Why This Story Matters Today
C Sankaran Nair’s decision to resign after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre marked a new chapter in India’s freedom struggle. His story reminds us that sometimes the greatest victories come not from winning, but from refusing to surrender your principles.
The Film’s Impact on Audiences
The movie has struck a powerful chord with viewers, with many calling it a must-watch experience. One viewer wrote: “The whole movie will keep you on the edge of the seat but the climax will blow your mind”.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy Reclaimed
Kesari Chapter 2 succeeds in bringing a forgotten hero back into the spotlight. While the British Empire may have won the legal battle, Sankaran Nair’s moral victory echoes through history. His refusal to apologize or back down became a symbol of resistance that inspired countless others in India’s freedom struggle.
The film’s ending isn’t just about one man’s fight—it’s about the power of standing up for what’s right, even when the entire world seems against you. In that sense, Sankaran Nair didn’t just challenge the British; he defeated them in the court of history itself.
