An FIR has been registered against seven producers of Kesari Chapter 2 under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Bidhannagar South police station, following allegations of historical misrepresentation in the film.
TMC Slams Film for Misrepresenting Revolutionaries
The controversy centers on a scene that allegedly misidentifies revered Bengali freedom fighters Khudiram Bose and Barindra Kumar Ghosh. According to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the film refers to Bose as “Khudiram Singh” and portrays Ghosh as “Birendra Kumar” from Amritsar—errors that TMC leaders described as “deliberate distortions of history.”
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, along with party leader Arup Chakraborty, addressed a press conference condemning the portrayal.
“The names of Bengali revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom are being distorted. This is not just a mistake—it’s a conspiracy to erase Bengal’s role in the freedom movement,” said Ghosh, questioning how such a film passed censorship clearance.
Mamata Banerjee Reacts
Without naming the film, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the filmmakers of attempting to undermine Bengal’s legacy, allegedly in collusion with the BJP.
“There are attempts to diminish the role of Bengali revolutionaries in the freedom struggle. We strongly condemn this,” she said, adding that the BJP is targeting Bengal’s cultural heritage.
TMC leaders reiterated that this was not an isolated incident, accusing the Centre of systematically undermining Bengal’s historical and cultural identity.
About Kesari Chapter 2
Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. The film features Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday.
The TMC also alleges that the film misrepresents Hemchandra Kanungo, the revolutionary who trained freedom fighters in bomb-making. His character was allegedly replaced by a fictional figure named Kripal Singh.
Censor Board and BJP Under Fire
The TMC has demanded immediate action from the Centre and raised serious questions about the role of the censor board, asking:
“Why didn’t the board flag these distortions? Who allowed this film to be released?”
The BJP, however, dismissed the controversy.
“In feature films, character names are often changed. This is not related to the BJP. The TMC is politicising a non-issue,” said BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, adding that TMC’s record in honoring freedom fighters is questionable.
Public and Industry Backlash
Noted Bengali actor Ritwick Chakraborty criticized the filmmakers for poor research and insensitivity to historical facts.
“I don’t know whether to blame bad research or bad writing. It’s clear that attempts were made to undermine the role of Bengali revolutionaries,” he said.
The film has also triggered backlash on social media, with many Bengali viewers demanding accountability and corrections from the producers.
