Last Updated:April 11, 2025, 17:11 IST
In the wake of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Nair made history by challenging the British govt in court, boldly exposing its violent suppression of Indians
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is set to portray Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair – a sharp legal mind, nationalist leader, and outspoken critic of British rule – in his upcoming film ‘Kesari Chapter 2‘, which hits cinemas on 18 April.
Kumar is known for portraying iconic Indian figures, from the legendary Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan to Havildar Ishar Singh, the brave Sikh soldier who led the Battle of Saragarhi in 1897. He played the latter role in the first chapter of the Kesari film, released in 2019.
In ‘Kesari Chapter 2‘, Kumar shifts focus to a lesser-known chapter of Indian history – the powerful legal fight for justice following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. The story centres on Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the lawyer who stood up to the British Empire in court after the horrific killings in Amritsar. He was also the former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1897.
The film has already stirred political debate, with the BJP criticising the Congress party for overlooking Nair’s legacy. BJP leader and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar claimed on X that the Congress has sidelined leaders like Nair, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Dr Ambedkar in favour of promoting the Nehru-Gandhi family.
ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar REACTS To BJP Leader’s Comment On Congress Neglecting Sankaran Nair: ‘Apology Will Flow‘
Who was Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair?
Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was a fierce lawyer, nationalist, and firm opponent of British colonialism. In the wake of the Amritsar massacre, he made history by challenging the British government in court, boldly exposing its violent suppression of Indians.
Despite playing a key role in India’s journey to justice, Nair remains relatively unknown to many. Born into a respected family in Palakkad, Kerala, he rose through the ranks of the legal system. He began practising law at the Madras High Court in 1880 and was soon appointed to a government committee addressing issues in the Malabar region. His expertise led to his appointment as Advocate General and, later, a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in 1908.
By 1919, Nair was serving as Education Minister and was the only Indian member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council – one of the highest positions an Indian could hold under British rule.
However, after the massacre in Amritsar, he was deeply shaken and resigned in protest — a decision that delivered a big blow to the British authority.
In 1922, he published ‘Gandhi and Anarchy‘, a book in which he criticised Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, for his role in the massacre. In response, O’Dwyer – then living in England – sued Nair for defamation.
Although Nair lost the case, the trial drew global attention and exposed the harsh realities of British rule. His calm yet powerful defence helped reveal the truth to the world and added fresh momentum to India’s independence movement. This widely followed courtroom battle lies at the heart of ‘Kesari Chapter 2′.
About ‘Kesari Chapter 2‘
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, ‘Kesari Chapter 2‘ is produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Aruna Bhatia, and Adar Poonawalla.
The film features Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill, a determined female barrister who joins Nair in his legal battle for justice. R. Madhavan plays Neville McKinley, described in the film as a brilliant and complex legal mind.
The movie is set to release in theatres nationwide on 18 April.
ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar Set To Fight The Law As Sankaran Nair In Kesari 2: ‘Mind Of The South, Might Of The North’
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First Published:
April 11, 2025, 16:40 IST
