Following the success of the 2019 Hindi-language film Kesari, directed by Anurag Singh and featuring Akshay Kumar in the lead role, Dharma Productions has launched the sequel, Kesari Chapter 2, which premiered in theatres yesterday. This highly anticipated follow-up has generated considerable buzz among fans and critics alike.

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is produced by an impressive collaboration that includes Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective. The film stars Akshay Kumar once again, alongside R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, adding depth and star power to the narrative. With Kumar’s popularity and a compelling story at its core, expectations for the film were high prior to its release.

The makers of Kesari Chapter 2 shared the film’s first-day box office collections, revealing that it earned ₹7.84 crore on its opening day. This strong performance indicates significant audience interest and sets a positive tone for its theatrical run. The film’s release coincides with a period of keen interest in historical dramas, particularly those that resonate with viewers on a cultural and emotional level.

The storyline is set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, marking a pivotal moment in Indian history. Akshay Kumar portrays the character of Sankaran Nair, a lawyer committed to seeking an apology from the British government for this tragic event. His portrayal aims to bring to life the struggle for justice and accountability, highlighting both the personal and collective traumas experienced during this dark chapter.

Kesari Chapter 2 is adapted from the book The Case That Shook The Empire, written by Pushpa Palat and Raghu Palat. The screenplay is crafted by Karan Singh Tyagi and Amritpal Singh Bindra, ensuring a well-structured narrative that captures the complexities of the historical events. As audiences flock to theatres, the film is positioned as not just a sequel but also a crucial exploration of an essential chapter in Indian history, blending drama, action, and emotion to engage viewers thoroughly.

In light of the controversy surrounding a scene deemed offensive to Christians, the makers of the Hindi film “Jaat” have chosen to remove the divisive segment. On April 18, an FIR was filed against actors Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, and three other individuals involved with the film, following complaints that elements of “Jaat” disrespected the Christian faith.

The filmmakers released an official statement confirming the scene’s removal, stating, “There has been a backlash regarding a specific scene in the movie. We have decided to eliminate it with immediate effect.” This action was prompted by concerns raised by Viklav Gold, a Christian community leader, who alleged that the film, which launched on April 10, included material that disrespected Jesus Christ and various Christian practices.

The filmmakers expressed that their intention was never to hurt any religious sentiments. They apologised for any distress caused by the scene and highlighted their commitment to respecting all beliefs. “We deeply regret this situation and have taken the necessary steps to address it promptly,” they added.

“Jaat,” directed by Gopichand Malineni, unfolds in an Andhra Village plagued by systemic injustice and brutality. The narrative follows an outsider who refers to himself as Jaat, as he uncovers the dire circumstances of the villagers and resolves to confront the oppressive forces at play.

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Vineet Kumar Singh, Regina Cassandra, and Saiyami Kher in pivotal roles. Reviewers have noted the extreme violence depicted in the film; for instance, a review from The Hindu remarked on its graphic portrayal of brutality, suggesting that “the violence is explicit, where severed heads are captured like money shots.” The review also pointed out the film’s use of shocking elements to engage the audience, prompting a warning about its content.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, “Jaat” has performed remarkably well at the box office, generating close to ₹60 crore during its first week in India. Following this success, the filmmakers have announced plans for a sequel, showcasing the film’s popularity despite the recent controversies.

In a disheartening turn of events for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), pacer Josh Hazlewood has attributed the team’s third straight home defeat to both an atypical Chinnaswamy pitch and a struggle to apply lessons from previous matches.

The RCB faced a five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in a rain-shortened 14-over match on Friday night, following earlier defeats against the Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals.

Hazlewood pointed out the unique challenges of the Chinnaswamy wicket, contrasting it with more consistent surfaces from past seasons. “It’s not a typical Chinnaswamy wicket. There’s always been bounce, but it’s been more consistent in years gone by,” he remarked during the post-match press conference. This sentiment echoed earlier concerns voiced by RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik, who expressed discontent with the pitch quality and intended to confer with the local curator after their loss to Delhi.

The Australian fast bowler underscored the importance of a robust power play, noting that the team has been “a bit slow on the learnings” from their earlier matches, particularly in the initial overs. “We probably didn’t put that into practice as well as we could have in those first six to eight overs,” Hazlewood added, reflecting on the team’s sluggish start.

Despite the disappointing results, Hazlewood remains optimistic about RCB’s potential to turn the tide. “We’ll analyse this game in detail when we get back to Bangalore,” he said, highlighting the need for careful assessment to learn and improve.

He offered guidance for his batting colleagues, urging them to take a step back and evaluate conditions before launching into aggressive shots. “If we can have our top five or six batters perform well throughout the innings, that will go a long way in helping us secure victory,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings spinner Harpreet Brar praised the performance of middle-order batsman Nehal Wadhera, who played a pivotal role in guiding his team to victory with an unbeaten 33 runs off 19 balls. Brar highlighted Wadhera’s experience and recent form, noting his crucial contributions during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Reflecting on his performance, Brar shared his readiness to deliver in high-pressure moments even in his first match of the season, stating, “In small matches, you have to be on your toes. I was ready. It was my first game of the season. I didn’t know that I would bowl in the last over.”

As RCB battles to find their rhythm, the team will need to address these issues promptly to reverse their current trajectory in the competition.