"Kesari" Movie Review: Forceful Performance of Akshay Kumar Uplifts The War Epic

Kesari

Main actors: Parineeti Chopra, Akshay Kumar

Director: Anurag Singh

Rating: 3/5

The famous actor-producer Akshay Kumar is all prepared to entertain fans one more time with Kesari. Under Anurag Singh's direction, the movie focuses on the Saragarhi Battle. It’s the cinematic account of a fight between Orakzai & Afridi tribesmen and the 36th Sikh regiment in 1897. Kesari also features Parineeti Chopra who acted as the wife of Akshay. What’s more, the movie is launching on the occasion of Holi, and it is prepared to enjoy the undisputed run until Junglee and Notebook strike the theatres.

What is its focus?

The film is the tribute to the Battle of Saragarhi as among the most courageous battles in the pre-Independence India. The Indian Army's the celebration of this day lasts until now. We witness Havildar Ishar Singh regarding himself as the soldier and also not a British Raj’s servant. The transgression of orders results in his movement to Saragarhi which is a fort but functions as a way of correspondence. He arrives there, then earns the esteem of up to 21 soldiers. They need to fight against invaders within days to protect forts Gulistan and Lockhart.

Although it is among the fiercest final stands ever, this Battle of Saragarhi was lost somewhere during the history’ annals. In the film, Anurag Singh delivers an incredible story which, as previously mentioned, portrays 21 soldiers courageously fighting against a high number of Afghan troops, 10,000 troops.

For more details, the movie takes the viewers into the soldiers’ lives which can't be lively seen in the history textbooks. For instance, a soldier is far away from the six-year-old daughter of him, whereas another soldier has grappled with his life’s caste discrimination. And, those emotional touches, including a couple of shoes and a family’s letter preserved carefully, stir audiences’ emotions.

What makes it special?

Akshay Kumar powers the film with his earnest performance. Makers have held all attention on the actor, and he acts in an exaggerated manner to appeal to popular taste. Akshay Kumar makes a real appearance when the actor visits lessons in the humanity given by Sikh Gurus. Moreover, he looks fierce on his battlefield.

Akshay Kumar is the amazing proverbial glue to hold the movie and his regiment together. He, without any effort, can switch from dramatic emotional scenes into sequences of high-intensity war. Meanwhile, Parineeti Chopra performs well when she acts as Akshay Kumar’s doting wife. Besides, supporting actors of the movie do a good job too. Anshul Chobey, the film actor, has also done an excellent job with this cinematography.

What is its weak point?

Although Kesari is the historical account, it is much more highly Bollywoodized, which mightn’t appeal to some. The film’s first half is only a drag without a story. Manish More may have trimmed this movie a little more. Several scenes of an upmanship seem funny and are very filmy. Importantly, the fake beard of Akshay was the thing which bothered me.

In overall, this movie is possibly not a big war epic; however, it is the noble attempt to make young people familiar with the nationalism, courage, and bravery of Sikhs. Furthermore, Kesari also pays a lot of concentration on humanity. With no doubt, it is a must-watch movie for audiences.