Review and Box Office Report of Mumbai Film "Kesari"
Review of "Kesari" and box office success
The much anticipated Mumbai film "Kesari" starring Akshay Kumar is released two days back. The film is based on the famous Battle of Saragrahi fought on 12 September 1897 at Saragrahi a small fort (now in Pakistan). This battle is a page on the courage of the Sikhs who were a significant part of the British Indian army during the days of the Raj. The film shows the battle and death of 21 Sikh soldiers when facing an Afghan Muslim horde of over 10,000. The hero of the film is Akshay Kumar who delineates the role of Havildar Iswar Singh who led the 21 Sikh soldiers of the erstwhile Sikh regiment. The film had opened to mixed reviews but on the opening day itself, it collected Rs 21 crores( 2.2 million GBP).
It has in two days collected Rs 37 crores(4.0 million GBP pounds) It is the biggest first-day collection of any film this year. Yahoo in style has reported the film was released in 3600 screens in India and made on a budget of Rs 80 crores (8.75 million GBP).
The film
The film has had a great opening and beat Ranveer Singh's " Guly boy" which had opened on Valentine's Day. As per trade reports, the film is likely to be a blockbuster hit and will make a profit like "Badla". It is also a feather in the cap of Akshay Kumar who has put in a stupendous performance as Havildar Ishwar Singh.
The film is produced by Karan Johar, under the banner for Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, Azure Entertainment and Zee Studios. After a good opening, the film has collected Rs 16 crores( GBP 17.5 million) on the second day despite it being the Holi festival day, when people are more engrossed in playing with colours. Film Fare magazine has reported that "Kesari" is an incredible story of 21 Sikh soldiers fighting valiantly against 10,000 Afghan troops in the year 1897. It revolves around the Afghan soldiers' attempt to capture Saragarhi, a signaling post between Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhart.
Akshay
Akshay Kumar is now 51 and at the apex of his career. He also bids fair to replace two of the Khans -Shahrukh, and Aamir who has had a lackluster performance at the box office. Akshay also replaced Arnold Shawznegger for the role of the villain in "2.0" with Rajinikanth who with his "Petta" has proved he is a superstar. This was after the Hollywood star backed out. Akshay was reportedly paid a whopping Rs 40 crores( GBP 4.2 million approximately) for his role in "2.0".
Last word
The Battle of Saragrahi is a tribute to the Sikh soldiers who constituted a major part of the British Indian army.
The British had recognized the Sikhs as a martial race and gave preference in recruitment and promotion to Sikh soldiers. It is a pity that Independent India has largely ignored this battle but now with Bollywood stepping in the atmosphere may change.
Critical assessment
The film is good but some glaring discrepancies can be pointed out. The film presents the Sikh soldiers in a theatrical way and sometimes they look more like robots. However one will agree that the film is a step in the right direction. Though the film acknowledges the honor the English gave to the Sikh soldiers by way of a small writeup at the end of the film, yet the British officers are shown as men without any feeling. The fact is Sikh soldiers were greatly loved by the British officers and at the end of the battle of Saragrahi they gave land grants and built a gurudwara to commemorate the memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers.
The film is 2hours and 40 minutes long but while watching, the length does not hang on the viewers time. The public has given a thumbs up sign to the film and all credit to Akshay Kumar who is the life and soul of the film
