It’s hard to believe this is your debut film. How did you achieve such a seamless synthesis of history and fiction?
Thank you so much for this interview. I truly appreciate how you’ve phrased the question. You called it a “synthesis of history and fiction” — and that’s exactly what I wanted it to be. One of my screenwriting heroes, Aaron Sorkin, once said that films based on real-life events aren’t supposed to be photographs. They can be paintings. In a painting, there’s more room for interpretation, more latitude to dramatize and express an idea. That’s what I aimed to do. I wanted Sankaran Nair’s story to reach as wide an audience as possible. With the support of his family, my co-writers and I set out to portray a man’s journey from a British loyalist to one of India’s fiercest patriots — someone who used the power of the courts to challenge an empire.
Kesari 2 director Karan Singh Tyagi talks history, law, and his love for courtroom dramas
Kesari 2 doesn’t feel like a first-time director’s work. How did you manage that?
I was blessed with an incredible team that believed in the vision and helped elevate it every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Most directors start with lighter fare — maybe a rom-com. What drew you to historical drama?
I’m a lawyer by profession, and I’ve always had a deep love for history. Stories about justice, the legal system, and the power dynamics between citizens and governments have always fascinated me. I grew up admiring Rajkumar Santoshi’s courtroom dramas like Damini and Ghayal. From the West, I’ve been obsessed with A Few Good Men and Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict — one of my all-time favorite films. So when I came across a story that combined both of my passions — history and law — it felt like the perfect debut.
There have been several portrayals of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, including a recent series by Ram Madhvani. Were you concerned about overlapping narratives?
I have great respect for Ram Madhvani as a filmmaker. And yes, I was mindful of the potential for repetition since both our stories touch on similar themes. But we approached them through different mediums, and ultimately, both works found appreciation in their own ways. I believe that the more real-life stories we bring into popular culture, the better.
Let’s talk about the cast. Was it tough to get your first choices, especially the British actors?
I was fortunate to work with an amazing cast. Akshay Sir, Maddy Sir, Ananya Panday, Regina Cassandra — they each brought so much to their characters. Getting the British cast right was crucial. We held extensive auditions in the UK for months before finalizing. We were lucky to find incredible talent — Simon Paisley Day is fantastic as General Dyer. Michael Parr, Alexandra Moloney, Steven Hartley — each of them brought depth and nuance to their roles.
What was it like working with Karan Johar as a producer? Did you get creative freedom?
He’s the best producer a first-time director could ask for. Karan and Amrit championed my vision right from the start and supported me every step of the way. Their faith in the project gave me the confidence to stay true to my voice.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently writing something, but it’s too early to talk about it. Hopefully, I’ll have more to share soon.
Also Read: Kesari Chapter 2 falls victim to online piracy on the same day of release
More Pages: Kesari Chapter 2 Box Office Collection , Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review
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