Akshay Kumar's Kesari has nothing new about Battle of Saragarhi: Critics review

Mumbai : The much awaited Kesari starring Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra has been released on March 21. Till today, it has grabbed grosses Rs 17 crore. The contrived Nationalist Drama is making hits in PVRs and cinema halls across the country. Kesari on Day 3 is doing great business and before you book ticket, you should read the movie review to check if the cinema is worth the money or not.

Directed by Anurag Singh, 'Kesari' tells us nothing new about the Battle of Saragarhi. Kumar playing a patriot, in a film set in pre-independent India, restoring dignity and pride to his fellow countrymen. Well, you can easily compare Gold with Kesari. In both the film, a middle-aged man, in love with his wife, recognising a social taboo and proposing a tradition-defying solution, empowering millions of Indians. 

Kesari, set in 1897, follows the events in the Battle of Saragarhi, fought between the 21 Sikh Regiment soldiers, in the British army, and thousands of Afghans. In the film, you will see the usual Kumarisms meaning patriotic fervour, unmitigated courage and inspirational belief. 

Kesari is 150 minutes long and the the Battle of Saragarhi which is the main attraction isn't even in the picture for the first 35 minutes. We first see the Afghans about to behead a woman for fleeing her husband’s house. Ishwar Singh (Kumar), a Sikh soldier, fires a bullet and saves her. He’s transferred to a different province for disobeying orders, where he’d fight the famed battle. Then we encounter the customary religious pride: Ishwar tells the Afghans that everything is fair game except his turban.

Beside the war side, the film also cuts to a flashback, detailing how Ishwar and his wife, Jiwani (Parineeti Chopra), fell in love and got married. Then finally, there’s the British and the humiliation of the brown man. In an early scene, Ishwar is castigated by a senior officer for not saluting him. He is commanded to salute thrice, along with apologising each time. Obviously, this isn’t dramatic enough, so the British officer says, “I think it’s the fault of [India’s] soil. It makes people cowards.” The director, Anurag Singh, determined to make you outraged, leaves no room for ambiguity. 

There are plenty of scenes involving fire, the fort is set ablaze by the Pathans, a young Sikh soldier walks in flames and embarrassing, borderline-ludicrous, climax.

Lastly, the film tells the incredible story of 21 Sikh soldiers fighting valiantly against 10,000 Afghan troops. Like other Akshay Kumar films, Kesari is worth-watching. The film will of course raise patriotic feelings this weekend.

Happy show time!