The granddaughter of General Reginald Dyer, the individual accountable for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, has recently made controversial statements that have drawn strong criticism from Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar. Prior to the theatrical release of the historical drama Kesari: Chapter 2 on April 18, the film's team addressed the provocative comment that referred to the victims of the massacre as "looters."

Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar denounce the insensitive comment

Akshay Kumar, who portrays the freedom fighter and lawyer C. Sankaran Nair, expressed his disapproval of the remark, labeling it as insensitive. The film narrates Nair's significant legal battle against the British Empire, in which he accused of orchestrating the tragic Amritsar massacre that resulted in the deaths of 1,650 individuals. This chapter was also featured in Ram Madhvani's series, The Waking of a Nation.

Even Karan Johar, who has championed films such as Raazi and The Ghazi Attack that explore real-life narratives, openly conveyed his frustration.

During an event, the filmmaker remarked that the film would provoke anger not only among Indians and humanitarians but also among anyone with a modicum of sensitivity. He questioned, "How absurd was her statement, and how dare she?" The innocent bystanders she referred to were present on Baisakhi, expecting a different outcome, yet she accused them of being looters. General Dyer acknowledged that he ceased firing only when his ammunition was depleted.

Karan Johar advocates for accountability and an apology. In a subsequent interview, she claimed he was the most compassionate person and cherished everything about India. However, he posed the question: how can one genuinely love if one act with hatred? She appears completely unaware and resides in her own delusional reality. Johar clarified that he does not know her, has never met her, and has no interest in doing so. He expressed that her remarks were profoundly offensive to him, and her disdain for the most significant atrocity in the nation's history intensified his demand for an apology.

Karan highlighted the importance of sharing untold stories, such as that of C. Sankaran Nair, noting that he has frequently encountered narratives of true courage and the heroism of unsung figures. These accounts have been preserved in historical records, which have hindered their representation in film. He recalled stories like Raazi, which demonstrated that audiences can resonate with and be moved by authentic tales, along with Kesari and The Ghazi Attack.

Johar remarked that the film, inspired by the novel The Case That Shook the Empire, tells a compelling story about C. Shankaran Nair. While the massacre is known, the specifics remain largely unfamiliar to many. The tragedy evokes deep sorrow and anger among those who witness it, and the ongoing absence of an apology fuels their resentment. To this day, no representative from the British government, monarchy, or crown has offered any expression of regret. Although the nation has courageously moved on from the British Raj, it is still owed an apology, which the film seeks to highlight.

Akshay Kumar stresses the importance of history lessons

Akshay Kumar emphasized the significance of learning from history. He noted that the suffering of one nation can serve as a lesson for another in resilience. He maintained that history is immutable, yet some fail to grasp this concept. The actor appreciated Johar's insights and the eloquence with which he conveyed them.

General Dyer is portrayed as a respected figure, well-liked by Indians, who speaks several Indian languages—a rarity. His granddaughter previously defended him in an interview with a relative of a massacre victim, questioning, "Was he a looter?" She believes that the past should be accepted as it is.

The team behind Kesari: Chapter 2 aims to further the conversation on historical accountability while illuminating a crucial yet overlooked aspect of India's struggle for independence. The film is set to be released in theaters on April 18.

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