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Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 Sees Gradual Rise in Box Office Collections, Crosses Rs 19.54 Crore in Opening Weekend
Akshay Kumar’s latest historical drama, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, opened to a modest Rs 7.75 crore on Friday but witnessed a steady uptick in earnings over the weekend, amassing Rs 19.54 crore in its first three days. The film, co-starring R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, outperformed recent releases Sikandar and Jaat but fell short of the 2019 prequel Kesari’s record-breaking start.
Box Office Breakdown
According to Sacnilk reports, the film’s earnings grew from Rs 7.75 crore on Friday to Rs 9.50 crore on Saturday. Early estimates for Sunday suggest a collection of Rs 2.04 crore (India net), bringing the total to Rs 19.54 crore. While Sunday’s figures appear lower, industry analysts note these are preliminary numbers, with final totals expected to rise.
Audience Engagement
The film saw a 25.78% overall Hindi occupancy on April 19, peaking during evening (26.83%) and night shows (41.71%). Regional performance varied, with Chennai (56%), Bengaluru (43%), and Hyderabad (37.75%) leading in footfall, while the National Capital Region (NCR) trailed at 29.25%.
Cast and Context
Akshay Kumar portrays C. Shankaran Nair, a real-life figure who sought justice for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, while R. Madhavan plays lawyer Neville McKinley. Ananya Panday features as Dilreet Gill in this period drama highlighting colonial resistance.
Competitive Landscape
Though Kesari Chapter 2 has surpassed contemporaries Jaat and Sikandar, it has yet to match the momentum of the 2019 original Kesari, which grossed over Rs 207 crore globally.
Conclusion:
Trade experts are cautiously optimistic about the film’s sustained performance, citing its historical appeal and holiday releases in the coming week. Final Sunday collections and weekday trends will determine its long-term viability in a competitive market.
Note: All figures cited are based on provisional data; final box office totals may vary.