A fresh controversy has erupted around the film Kesari Chapter 2, with an FIR lodged at the Bidhannagar South police station in West Bengal for alleged distortion of historical facts about Bengali freedom fighters. The film, currently streaming on Jio Hotstar, is being accused of factual inaccuracies that have triggered strong reactions from political and cultural quarters of the state.

FIR Details and Allegations

The complaint was filed by Ranajit Biswas, a resident of Nabapally, who alleged that the film contains several deliberate errors in representing prominent revolutionaries from Bengal’s freedom struggle. According to the FIR, the film refers to Khudiram Bose, a revered martyr from Bengal, as “Khudiram Singh”, and identifies Barindra Kumar Ghosh, a key nationalist leader and brother of Sri Aurobindo, as “Birendra Kumar” from Amritsar.

These misrepresentations, the complaint states, amount to an insult to Bengal’s contributions to India’s independence and are an attempt to undermine regional history.

The FIR has been filed under sections 352, 353(1)(c), and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to:

• Intentional insult

• Public mischief

• Circulation of false information

TMC Reacts Strongly

At a press conference, senior Trinamool Congress leaders Kunal Ghosh and Arup Chakraborty condemned the film as a “deliberate distortion” of historical truth. They claimed that such depictions are part of a larger attempt to whitewash Bengal’s revolutionary legacy and fit it into a non-factual narrative.

Kunal Ghosh stated:

“This is not just an error. This is an organised attempt to erase the legacy of Bengal’s brave sons who laid down their lives for India’s freedom.”

He demanded that the streaming of the film be halted immediately and corrective action be taken by the producers and platforms involved.

Film Details

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 stars Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, and is a dramatized account of key episodes from colonial India’s legal and revolutionary landscape.

However, the artistic liberties taken in the film have drawn serious objections, particularly in West Bengal, where historical memory of freedom fighters like Khudiram Bose, Barindra Ghosh, and Jatindranath Mukherjee is still deeply cherished.

Cultural and Political Impact

The controversy has reignited discussions about the responsibility of filmmakers while portraying sensitive and historically documented events. Scholars and activists in Bengal have also weighed in, suggesting that cinematic freedom should not come at the cost of historical truth.

Historians have pointed out that Khudiram Bose, one of the youngest martyrs in India’s freedom movement, was hanged by the British at the age of 18, and any misnaming or misinformation regarding his identity is not a trivial error but a historical injustice.

Similarly, Barindra Kumar Ghosh played a crucial role in the Anushilan Samiti and was deeply involved in revolutionary activities that shaped India’s early nationalist resistance.

Legal Ramifications

The invocation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s newly restructured criminal code that replaces the IPC (Indian Penal Code), underlines the seriousness of the offence as perceived by the authorities.

The sections invoked address not only defamation and insult, but also the spread of potentially misleading or inflammatory information, especially when it pertains to public historical memory.

The producers, director, and possibly the streaming platform could be summoned or investigated as part of the legal process.

Demand for Censorship Review

The controversy has also triggered calls for a review of the certification process by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Activists allege that such glaring errors should have been flagged before release and question whether adequate historical due diligence was done.

There are even calls from certain quarters to temporarily pull the film off the platform pending corrections and to issue a public apology to the people of Bengal.

Industry Silence

So far, the film’s producers and cast have not issued any public statement regarding the FIR or the allegations. The streaming platform Jio Hotstar also remains silent, though it is under growing pressure to address the concerns or issue disclaimers.

Whether the producers will opt to edit the content, issue a clarification, or contest the FIR legally remains to be seen.

Conclusion

The FIR against Kesari Chapter 2 represents more than just a film controversy. It underscores the tension between artistic expression and historical accountability. In a country as diverse as India, regional history holds emotional and political significance, and any misrepresentation can easily escalate into a cultural flashpoint.

As the legal proceedings unfold, this episode is a reminder that storytelling—especially when drawn from history—requires both creative passion and factual sensitivity.

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