"Ananya Panday shadowed a lawyer in the Bombay HC, I was bowled over by.....": Kesari 2 director Karan Tyagi

In a candid conversation with India Forums, debutant director Karan Tyagi opens up about his experience directing Kesari Chapter 2, a film that delves into untold aspects of Indian history. From navigating box office expectations to working with a powerhouse cast, Tyagi shares his journey, research process, and the passion that drove this ambitious project. Here's an in-depth Q&A where he discusses everything from the pressure of debuting in today's uncertain Bollywood landscape to debunking industry misconceptions

Q: What was in your mind regarding the whole box office situation? Did you feel any pressure due to the current scenario in the Bollywood industry where not all films, even the expected ones, are working?

A: I actually had no pressure because I was very confident that we have a very strong film. We had a very strong material, we had a very strong film on our hands. And I was lucky that I had two amazing producers, Amritpal Singh Bindra and Mr. Karan Johar, who kept the box office pressure away from me. Till the last minute, I was focusing on perfecting the film, on finessing the film. I was confident that our film will be well received and will be loved by the audiences. And I'm so happy that what I believed in is coming through.

Q: As a debut director, did the political nature and risks associated with the film make you hesitant? Or were you always ready to take that leap of faith?

A: I had no doubt that this film will land me into any trouble because I was telling a very powerful story. I was honoring the sacrifice of people who died at Jallianwala Bagh. They came to celebrate Vaisakhi and they left as martyrs. I was honoring the bravery, the courage, the valor of Shankar Nair. So I just wanted to do justice to Shankar Nair's story, to the story of people at Jallianwala Bagh. And I wanted to put out a new argument that the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was actually a planned conspiracy to kill. This is something everyone knows about the massacre. People don't know about the conspiracy behind it. So I just was focusing on telling the story in the best possible manner.

Q: We found the film brought out something new even though the Jallianwala Bagh incident has been covered before. What went into the research? How long did it take?

A:The writing process of this film took two years. We read the book The Case That Shook the Empire. We spent a lot of time with Shankar Nair's family to understand the man better. We read a lot of other literature on Jallianwala Bagh. There are several other books. There is an Indian author V. N. Dutta, he has written a fabulous book on Jallianwala Bagh. There is Kim Wagner who has written a book as well. The survivors have given their interviews. We read their testimonies. So we collected all this research material first and based on that we wrote our script. It took a lot of time in the writing process. The information that we were getting was an eye-opener because the empire went to great lengths to protect General Dyer. The empire banned a poem written by a survivor called Khooni Vaisakhi which was telling the truth. They burned down newspaper houses which were reporting the truth and spread their own fake narrative. So the information we were receiving was bone-chilling. We studied the incident from every angle before writing.

Q: Ananya has typically been seen in Gen Z roles, but here she’s so rooted and emotive. How did you bring that out in her performance?

A: It was not me. It's all within her. I think she's a very sensitive actor. I was bowled over by her performance in Gehraiyaan. I think she was very good in that film. She has a very deep, vulnerable side to her which was important in portraying Dilrith Gill's character. And then she did extensive hard work. She has undertaken dialect classes for over a year. She shadowed a lawyer in the Bombay High Court to learn the mannerisms of a female lawyer. So she's put in a lot of hard work and the results are for the world to see.

Q: Bringing Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan face-to-face is huge. Were they your first choice or did you consider others?

A: First choice. In fact, I'm lucky that I have such amazing actors on my first film. And they've brought so much of their own personality to the role. Akshay sir has improvised and had so much input on his character and the script. He supported me through and through. Maddy sir, I've been a big fan right from his first film that I saw, Alaipayuthey. He was very good in it. He was very good in Guru too. I have always been a big fan of Maddy sir. He brought so much of his own personality. I remember Maddy sir and I discussed one very important thing which helped us in crafting the character of Neville McKinley that McKinley is not subservient to General Dyer or the British Empire. He's on his personal mission to defeat Shankaran Nair. He's not defending the crown. He’s out there to defeat Shankaran Nair. When we understood this nuance, everything just flowed. And the two of them are just powerhouses of talent. I'm so lucky they brought their all to my first film.

Q: Now that you’ve entered the industry, what is one misconception about directors that you feel needs to be addressed?

A: I would say a misconception is that people feel that the industry is harsh to outsiders. Because I'm somebody who came from a very different background. I came from the world of law. And I feel I was welcomed with open arms. Leo Media Collective and Dharma Productions backed my vision. It is rare for a first-time filmmaker to mount a film of this size and scale. And it was only possible because of their backing. They championed my vision. So that’s been a big eye-opener for me.

Q: Are there any projects lined up for you next?

A: I'm still writing my next. I believe in making films for the entire country. I believe in making large-scale entertainers. I love human dramas. So I'm currently writing my next film. It’s too early to talk about it.

Karan Tyagi’s debut directorial venture with Kesari Chapter 2 highlights the filmmaker’s vision and research-driven approach. From casting choices to scripting layered narratives, Tyagi proves that even as an outsider, one can leave a lasting mark when backed by hard work and belief in the story.

Kesari Chapter 2 is a historical drama that unearths the lesser-known aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, focusing on the legal battle fought by barrister Shankaran Nair against the British Empire. While Akshay Kumar gets into the skin of Nair, Ananaya is seen playing Dilreet, a fellow lawyer with Nair and Madhavan essays the role of Neville McKinley locking horns with Akshay as the prosecutor lawyer.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of colonial India, the film dives deep into themes of courage, justice, and resistance. With its intense courtroom sequences, emotional storytelling, and meticulous attention to historical detail, the film has received a good response from the audiences and is performing steadily at the box office. The film was released in theatres on 18th April.