Kesari: Chapter 2 box office collection day 1: Akshay Kumar's film opens with Rs 7.5 crore; trails behind actor's previous patriotic films

Upon its Friday opening, the historical drama Kesari: Chapter 2 starring Akshay Kumar grossed Rs 7.5 crore nett in India. Despite good early reviews, a star-studded cast, and tremendous anticipation, the film had a rather modest start at the box office.

Kesari: Chapter 2 earns less than Sky Force

Karan Singh Tyagi's film examines the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a heinous event in India's colonial history, using the prism of Sir C. Sankaran Nair's legal struggle. Kesari: Chapter 2 failed to outperform Akshay Kumar's prior patriotic film, Sky Force, which debuted to Rs 12.25 crore nett, despite the high expectations around the film's patriotic subject and emotional weight.

Kesari (2019), which depicted the Battle of Saragarhi and grossed Rs 21 crore nett at the box office, was produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. This film serves as a spiritual sequel to it. Optimism persists among industry insiders despite the weaker opening. The film could see consistent weekend growth thanks to strong social media word of mouth and a tsunami of great reviews from critics.

Storyline and cast of Kesari: Chapter 2

Featuring Ananya Panday and R. Madhavan in significant parts, Kesari: Chapter 2 recounts the tale of Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the courageous attorney who confronted the British Empire following the April 13, 1919, Jallianwala Bagh massacre. General Reginald Dyer ordered the slaughter of thousands of unarmed people at a tranquil Baisakhi festival that also served as a protest against the Rowlatt Act. By suing Dyer and the Crown in a historic legal struggle, Nair shocked the colonial government and brought the crimes perpetrated by the British to the attention of the world.

With a compelling blend of courtroom drama and national sentiment, and a plot deeply rooted in India's pursuit of justice and dignity, Kesari: Chapter 2 has the potential to become a blockbuster. The performance of the film over the weekend will determine whether it can surpass or equal the lifetime collections of Akshay Kumar's previous patriotic features such as Rustom, Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, and more.