Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 3: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar recently found himself in an emotional moment while addressing concerns over the use of an expletive in the trailer of his upcoming film, Kesari Chapter 2.
The actor was in New Delhi on Thursday for the grand trailer launch when he was questioned about his choice of words in a key scene. Responding to the controversy, Akshay clarified, "Yes, I used that word. But did you not notice the phrase used in the trailer—‘You are still a slave’? Isn’t that a far greater insult? I believe being called a ‘slave’ is a bigger humiliation. Had we retaliated with bullets during such times, even that wouldn’t have been enough."
Visibly emotional, Akshay wiped away tears as he stood up to address the media.
The controversial scene in question features Akshay’s character, lawyer C. Sankaran Nair, taking a bold stand in a British courtroom. When a British official declares, "You are still a slave to the British Empire," Akshay’s character fires back with two powerful words, underscoring his defiant spirit.
The trailer opens with an intense exchange between Akshay and General Dyer, where the actor questions, "How did you warn the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh to disperse? Did you use tear gas? Did you fire shots in the air? Or did you simply open fire without any warning?" Dyer responds, "They were not just a crowd; they were terrorists." Akshay counters, "But they were human beings! Babies as young as eight or nine months were shot in the chest. What weapons did they have?"
Inspired by true events, Kesari Chapter 2 explores the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the relentless pursuit of justice led by C. Sankaran Nair, a distinguished lawyer and former President of the Indian National Congress. The film also stars Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill, a determined female barrister aiding Nair in his mission, while R. Madhavan portrays Neville McKinley, a brilliant strategist dubbed ‘a genius’ in the film.
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is slated for a theatrical release on April 18.