logo
Kesari 2 director calls Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘synthesis of history and fiction': ‘Films based on real-life events aren't supposed to be photographs'

Kesari 2 director calls Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘synthesis of history and fiction': ‘Films based on real-life events aren't supposed to be photographs'

Indian Express21-04-2025
There's an ongoing conversation around Akshay Kumar's latest film Kesari 2, with many questioning whether it's a fictional story that uses real-life characters. The film stars Akshay in the role of lawyer SC Sankaran Nair, who legally fought the British Empire in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. In a recent interaction, the film's director Karan Singh Tyagi addressed the issue and called the film a 'synthesis of history and fiction.'
During an interaction with Bollywood Hungama, when Karan was asked if Kesari 2 is a 'synthesis of history and fiction,' he agreed and responded, 'You called it a 'synthesis of history and fiction' — and that's exactly what I wanted it to be. One of my screenwriting heroes, Aaron Sorkin, once said that films based on real-life events aren't supposed to be photographs. They can be paintings. In a painting, there's more room for interpretation, more latitude to dramatize and express an idea.'
Karan admitted that he took creative liberties so the film could reach a wider audience. He said, 'That's what I aimed to do. I wanted Sankaran Nair's story to reach as wide an audience as possible. With the support of his family, my co-writers and I set out to portray a man's journey from a British loyalist to one of India's fiercest patriots — someone who used the power of the courts to challenge an empire.'
Despite the criticism, Kesari 2 was hailed by several political dignitaries including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Minister Anurag Thakur during its screening in Delhi.
SCREEN review of the film by Shubhra Gupta read, 'While the film is clearly aligned with the Make India Great Again thinking, you can spot a couple of smartly subversive ideas nestling in there. A line about a joint 'Hindu-Muslim' celebration around Ram Navami which happened for the 'first time ' just before the massacre (apparently the dangerous thing that incensed the divide-and-rule British masters so much that it put the pre-planned executions at Jallianwala Bagh into motion, according to the film) tells us such a thing actually happened, something that seems like a receding hope these days. And both the British and Indian lawyers blow the bugle for 'freedom of speech': now where have we heard that phrase before? And can it gain currency again?'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

K'taka: Urea, fertiliser prices rise after surge in demand, farming community in distress
K'taka: Urea, fertiliser prices rise after surge in demand, farming community in distress

Hans India

time7 minutes ago

  • Hans India

K'taka: Urea, fertiliser prices rise after surge in demand, farming community in distress

The shortage of urea and other fertilisers in Karnataka has led traders to sell it at double the price, pushing the farming community in the state into distress. Farmers, who were hopeful of a good harvest following favourable rainfall and the early onset of the monsoon this year, are now distraught and staging protests. The situation has further escalated tensions between the Congress-led Karnataka government and the Centre. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, J.P. Nadda, urging him to expedite the supply of 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertiliser as per the state's allocation, in the interest of the farmers. Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, strongly criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of misleading the people of Karnataka with false statements regarding fertiliser supply. The Department of Fertilisers (DoF) also issued a clarification, stating that it has ensured the timely and adequate availability of 8.73 lakh metric tonnes of urea to Karnataka against a pro-rata requirement of 6.30 lakh metric tonnes during the ongoing Kharif 2025 season. The state has recorded sales of 7.08 lakh metric tonnes during the same period - well above the pro-rata requirement. The DoF stated that it continues to closely monitor the situation and is coordinating with the state government to ensure Karnataka's farmers have timely access to urea throughout the Kharif season, the DoF stated. Despite this, thousands of farmers are lining up outside shops to procure urea fertiliser for sowing. Urea is a crucial agricultural input as it is the primary source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. It significantly boosts crop yields and improves produce quality by enhancing foliage, chlorophyll synthesis, and overall productivity. Urea is typically applied during sowing and as a top dressing during the crop's vegetative growth phase. Since sowing has already begun following good rainfall, farmers urgently need to apply urea to their fields. Without it, crops may suffer from stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and significantly reduced yields. Long queues of farmers have been observed at fertiliser shops in hobli, taluk, and district headquarters across Karnataka, especially in the northern part of the state. Due to the shortage, shop owners are rationing the supply, limiting sales to just two 50-kilogram bags per farmer. While urea and other essential fertilisers are also sold at fair price shops, many of these outlets have already run out of stock. There are widespread allegations that private traders are exploiting the crisis by hoarding urea and selling it at inflated prices. Farmers have alleged that even as shopkeepers display 'no stock' boards, they are willing to supply unlimited quantities of urea if buyers are ready to pay Rs 500 per bag, while the actual price ranges between Rs 250 and Rs 300. In the Koppal district, farmers blocked roads in protest against the shortage, while in the Haveri district, they confronted officials over the two-bag limit. In some locations, angry farmers have prevented trucks from offloading urea into shops, demanding direct sales from the vehicles. There are also allegations that traders are hoarding fertiliser stocks to create artificial scarcity and drive up prices. Small and marginal farmers have been the worst affected. They cannot afford the exorbitant rates demanded by black marketeers, but at the same time, they cannot risk losing their crops. The current crisis has also revived memories of a tragic incident in 2008, when a 33-year-old man was killed in police firing during a protest over fertiliser shortages in Haveri district. The firing, meant to disperse the agitated mob, occurred shortly after former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa took office. The incident shook the state government, especially as Yediyurappa had taken his oath in the name of farmers after leading the BJP to power for the first time in South India. Yediyurappa had then blamed the UPA government at the Centre for the fertiliser shortage.

Inside Priyanka Chopra's Journey Through Jaipur, One Of World's Most Renowned Gem Capitals, With Bulgari
Inside Priyanka Chopra's Journey Through Jaipur, One Of World's Most Renowned Gem Capitals, With Bulgari

NDTV

time13 minutes ago

  • NDTV

Inside Priyanka Chopra's Journey Through Jaipur, One Of World's Most Renowned Gem Capitals, With Bulgari

Priyanka Chopra is creating quite a buzz amidst the internet goers yet again. This time around, the Heads of State actress who is also the Bulgari Global Brand Ambassador explores the ins and outs of Jaipur, Rajasthan with Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari Jewellery Creative and Gems buying Director. Together they explore how Silvestri hand selects the colourful gems that will make their way into Bulgari's next collection. But that wasn't all they promenaded through the lanes of the iconic Johari Bazaar (which literally translates to jeweller's market) full of lanes of Bandhani dupattas, mojaris, gemstones, spices, the freshness of mogra flowers, gemstones adorned traditional kundan necklaces, orange skies full of birds in flight which are the ultimate vision of hope. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BVLGARI Official (@bvlgari) Priyanka makes her way through the diwan-e-khas at the City Palace in Jaipur which is home to the current maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Padmanabh Singh. The iconic venue was constructed for private audiences with the maharaja at the time which was a sight to behold with its terracotta painted walls (which are a tint of pink) and laden with hand painted floral décor across its walls and jharokhas alike. It is said that the city of Jaipur was painted pink in the year 1876 when India was still colonised by the British and even now the new houses have to painted pink so that the city stays cohesive and proves to be the architectural gem that it is. Jaipur, the pink city is one of the gemstone capitals of the world, and colour is spread everywhere across the bustling markets to the local neighbourhoods, the gorgeous traditional Rajasthani clothes and mojaris worn by the locals, to the tie and dye dupattas and sarees laden with gilded zari details available across the city's bazaars. But nothing could be more grand than the royal heritage of the city and the gemstones that bring out the myriad hues of the land of the sand dunes, camels and beyond. It is safe to say that Priyanka Chopra opens doors into rediscovering the sheer gem that Jaipur is in all its grandiosity. Priyanka Chopra's Jaipur escapade is a celebration of royalty, gemstone and a kaleidoscope of colours.

Did Narendra Modi beat Donald Trump? PM tops global popularity charts with 75% approval; US Prez sits at…
Did Narendra Modi beat Donald Trump? PM tops global popularity charts with 75% approval; US Prez sits at…

Mint

time37 minutes ago

  • Mint

Did Narendra Modi beat Donald Trump? PM tops global popularity charts with 75% approval; US Prez sits at…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the global charts as the most popular democratic leader, earning a 75% approval rating, according to the latest data from US-based business intelligence firm Morning Consult. The survey shows that 75% of respondents view PM Modi favorably, while 7% remained undecided and 18% disapproved. Modi is followed in popularity by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Argentine Javier Milei. In contrast, US President Donald Trump ranks eighth, with just 44% approval. Analysts suggest that certain policy decisions, such as trade tariffs and controversial domestic actions, may have contributed to the dip in his popularity. In a post on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said, 'Loved by over a billion Indians and respected by millions across the globe, PM Narendra Modi tops the Morning Consult Global Leader Approval Tracker once again — the highest-rated and most trusted leader worldwide. Strong leadership. Global respect. Bharat is in safe hands. 🙌' However, Opposition parties have criticised PM Modi for consistently avoiding press conferences, claiming it weakens the foundations of India's democracy. India, which ranked 140th out of 180 countries on the Global Press Freedom Index in 2014, has seen its position decline to 159th in 2024, a drop of 19 places. In an interview with AajTak in May 2024, Modi addressed the criticism, saying he refrains from holding press conferences or giving frequent interviews because 'today's media is not the same.' He added that he focuses on doing his work and leaves it up to the media to decide whether or not to cover it. Earlier on Friday, PM Modi became the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of India in consecutive terms -- surpassing the record previously held by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Narendra Modi, 74, took oath as Prime Minister for the first time on May 26, 2014 and has served a total of 11 years and 60 days in office till date. The erstwhile Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had served for 11 years and 59 days in office in consecutive terms. She held the highest office as Prime Minister of India from January 24, 1966, to March 24, 1977. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, holds the record for the longest-serving Prime Minister in consecutive terms, spanning 16 years and 286 days, from August 15, 1947, to May 27, 1964. The first Prime Minister born after India's independence, Prime Minister Modi, has previously served as the Prime Minister of India from 2014 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2024.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store