Akshay Kumar's Kesari Chapter 2 takes an encouraging start at the box office

Akshay Kumar's much-anticipated historical courtroom drama, Kesari Chapter 2, has taken a relatively slow start at the box office, with advance booking numbers hinting at a modest opening. As per early figures, the film has grossed Rs 8.53 lakhs in advance ticket sales on Day 1 across India, with 2,860 tickets sold for 1,776 shows in the Hindi 2D format. Including block seats, the estimated gross rises to Rs 89.36 lakhs as per Sacnilk—still below expectations for a star-led film of this scale.

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi , Kesari Chapter 2 is based on Raghu and Pushpa Palat's gripping non-fiction book The Case That Shook the Empire. The story traces the intense legal battle surrounding the historic Jallianwala Bagh massacre the efforts of a few individuals to challenge colonial power. Akshay Kumar returns to a patriotic and intense avatar, headlining the courtroom saga alongside R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, who play pivotal roles in the film’s legal drama.
While the first chapter of Kesari (2019), which depicted the Battle of Saragarhi, opened to roaring box office success and critical acclaim, the sequel seems to be facing an uphill task in replicating that momentum. Industry insiders shares that the film is a one of a kind and the people who have seen it have been praising all aspects of the film. It seems the makers are trying to play safe by keeping the release limited and expecting it to grow with the word of mouth post its release.
Additionally, Kesari Chapter 2 steps away from large-scale action into the more niche courtroom drama genre—a shift that might not resonate instantly with the masses used to Akshay’s commercial entertainers. However, the film’s subject matter, rooted deeply in Indian history and nationalism, may find traction through word-of-mouth, especially among audiences who appreciate impactful, real-life narratives.
Despite the lukewarm start, it’s too early to write off the film. With positive critical reception and potentially strong weekend walk-ins, Kesari Chapter 2 could still turn the tide. For now, all eyes are on the film’s Day 1 footfalls and audience reviews to determine its long-term box office journey.