The recently released film Kesari Chapter 2, starring Akshay Kumar, has become embroiled in controversy, with an FIR (First Information Report) lodged against its makers for allegedly distorting historical facts related to Bengal's freedom movement. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), the ruling party in West Bengal, has strongly condemned the film, calling it an "insult" to Bengali revolutionaries and accusing the filmmakers of a deliberate attempt to undermine Bengal's contribution to India's independence struggle.
The controversy stems from the film's portrayal of key freedom fighters from Bengal, particularly Khudiram Bose and Barindra Kumar Ghosh, in a courtroom scene concerning the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case. According to the complaint filed by Ranajit Biswas, a resident of Bidhannagar South, the film depicts these revolutionaries as "Khudiram Singh" and "Birendra Kumar" from Amritsar. Biswas argues that this misrepresentation, especially concerning Khudiram Bose, who was executed, and Prafulla Chaki, who died by suicide, is a grave insult to Bengal's freedom fighters. He further alleges that such inaccuracies spread misinformation and could incite linguistic and regional discord.
Based on this complaint, police have registered a case under sections 352 (intentional insult), 353 (1) (c) (public mischief), and 353 (2) (circulating false statements or information) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The TMC has reacted sharply to the film's alleged distortions. Senior TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Arup Chakraborty addressed a press conference, denouncing the portrayal as a "deliberate distortion of history" and a "deep insult to Bengal." Ghosh questioned how such a film received a censor certificate, stating, "The names of Bengali revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for India's freedom were being distorted. This is not just a mistake – this is a conspiracy to erase Bengal's role in the freedom movement."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also criticized the filmmakers, without naming the movie directly, accusing them of attempting to undermine the contributions of Bengal's freedom fighters in collusion with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). She stated, "There are attempts to undermine the role played by the Bengali revolutionaries during the independence struggle. We condemn this. The BJP has been targeting Bengal and our cultural heritage." The TMC has further alleged that the central government, led by the BJP, has repeatedly tried to undermine Bengal's history and cultural identity.
The film, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, revolves around C. Sankaran Nair's fight against the British Raj to uncover the truth about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Kesari Chapter 2 stars Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday.
This is not the first controversy surrounding Kesari Chapter 2. Earlier, the film faced plagiarism accusations from poet Yahya Bootwala, who claimed that lines from his poem "Jallianwala Bagh" were copied in the film's dialogue without credit. However, this issue was reportedly resolved amicably between Bootwala and the producers. Akshay Kumar also defended his use of strong language in the film, arguing that it was justified considering the insults hurled at Indians by the British during that era.
The current controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding historical representation in Indian cinema and the importance of accuracy when depicting historical figures and events. The FIR and the strong political reactions underscore the potential for films to spark social and political debate, particularly when they touch upon sensitive topics related to national identity and historical narratives.
