War dramas are never an easy watch. They work on two levels. Firstly, they constantly tell you about the futility of war and secondly, they are viscerally disturbing. The bloodshed and the sight of mutilated bodies tear through your soul and make you shift uncomfortably in your seat. Unlike in masala movies where the bloodshed is treated disdainfully, Kesari haunts you because the Battle of Saragarhi is not a piece of fiction.
Akshay Kumar is in top form once again. He carries the film entirely on his lean shoulders, excelling in the emotional scenes as well as the hardcore action ones. He goes from soft to tough effortlessly, making you root for him almost throughout the movie. Parineeti Chopra, in an extended cameo, is refreshing.
The supporting cast doesn’t boast of established actors. Yet, each of the soldiers leaves behind a quiet impact making you curious enough to Google their names.
KESARI is based on the true story of one of the bravest battles that India ever fought – the Battle of Saragarhi. The year is 1897 and the British Empire having conquered most of India, is now trying to infiltrate Afghanistan. Fort Saragarhi, in the NWFP (North Western Frontier Province) is a small communication post used to relay messages between two major military forts – Gullistan and Lockhardt. To be posted at Saragarhi is no matter of pride for the newly formed Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army. Marked in color KESARI (Saffron), the Sikhs symbolize valor and pride and to die doing one’s duty. Ishar Singh (Akshay Kumar), a proud warrior who prefers to live by his community rules, is often found in direct conflict with the orders of his British officers. As a punishment, Ishar is sent to Saragarhi where a bunch of 20 unruly, undisciplined Sikh soldiers await him. And it is this bunch of cheeky but lovable rouges that Ishar leads into the battle when an army of 10,000 Afghani Pathans turn up at Saragarhi on the 12th of Sept 1897. It is now 21 Sikhs vs 10,000 Afghans on the battlefield.
Akshay Kumar is in top form once again. He carries the film entirely on his lean shoulders, excelling in the emotional scenes as well as the hardcore action ones. He goes from soft to tough effortlessly, making you root for him almost throughout the movie. Parineeti Chopra, in an extended cameo, is refreshing.
The supporting cast doesn’t boast of established actors. Yet, each of the soldiers leaves behind a quiet impact making you curious enough to Google their names.
KESARI is based on the true story of one of the bravest battles that India ever fought – the Battle of Saragarhi. The year is 1897 and the British Empire having conquered most of India, is now trying to infiltrate Afghanistan. Fort Saragarhi, in the NWFP (North Western Frontier Province) is a small communication post used to relay messages between two major military forts – Gullistan and Lockhardt. To be posted at Saragarhi is no matter of pride for the newly formed Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army. Marked in color KESARI (Saffron), the Sikhs symbolize valor and pride and to die doing one’s duty. Ishar Singh (Akshay Kumar), a proud warrior who prefers to live by his community rules, is often found in direct conflict with the orders of his British officers. As a punishment, Ishar is sent to Saragarhi where a bunch of 20 unruly, undisciplined Sikh soldiers await him. And it is this bunch of cheeky but lovable rouges that Ishar leads into the battle when an army of 10,000 Afghani Pathans turn up at Saragarhi on the 12th of Sept 1897. It is now 21 Sikhs vs 10,000 Afghans on the battlefield.
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