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Kesari

Play trailer 2:54 Poster for Kesari 2019 2h 30m Action History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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38% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A Sikh warrior participates in the Battle of Saragarhi.
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Kesari

Critics Reviews

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Anupama Chopra Film Companion Mar 22, 2019
2.5/5
We get bloodshed in slow motion, a few good men fighting until their last breath and a plaintive soundtrack to underline their immense sacrifice. It gets a little exhausting. Go to Full Review
Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Mar 22, 2019
3/5
Akshay Kumar is the film. And he pulls it off, keeping that 'kesari pagdi' aloft right till the end, delivering thundering speeches while keeping his men's morale up. Go to Full Review
Namrata Joshi The Hindu Mar 22, 2019
It would have, perhaps, worked with good casting and performances supporting the main lead. However, in the one-man show, none of the other characters or actors turn out memorable. Go to Full Review
Sukanya Verma Rediff.com Apr 17, 2025
3/5
Akshay and Action are Kesari's strengths Go to Full Review
Anna M.M. Vetticad Firstpost Dec 6, 2020
2/5
A barely disguised propaganda vehicle [that chronicles a] remarkable episode [of Indian history] with self-defeating twists. Go to Full Review
Sucharita Tyagi Film Companion Jun 17, 2019
Just a whole lot of killing, slashing and humans cutting up humans. Yes, the cinematography soars, but the violence is so much, so prolonged, and begins to give you a headache. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Elizabeth C @RT27124034 2 days ago This movie used literary devices I rarely encounter in modern work, astounding cinematography, great character development and brilliant story-telling. I was intrigued to see that the audience understood they were experiencing something exceptional, but the vast majority of the "professional" critics showed themselves to be entirely ignorant. This is the kind of film I watch again every decade or so, for the pure joy of seeing it with fresh eyes. I highly recommend this to any student of literature, history, sociology or leadership. This is a strong piece of work that will stand the test of time. See more Anuja M @PureAngela Jun 15, 2026 Story of Courage and Sacrifice. Kesari is a powerful and emotional movie based on bravery and duty. It shows the courage, determination and sacrifice of soldiers who stand strong even in impossible situations. The story is inspiring and reminds us of the importance of honor, leadership and never giving up See more Brian A @Vasculcard Apr 10, 2026 Going into this not knowing anything about the battle then having to read about it, I feel this was a fantastic salute to the incredible sacrifice that was made by these 21 soldiers, exemplifying the very essence of courage and honor. Most movies have to make up a story to show this type of braverly and fearlessness. This is based on a factual battle and what these men did really happened. That alone makes this movie worth watching. See more Ian D @RT91944706 Dec 8, 2025 Hmmm.... Full of sound and fury and cartoonish violence, and for them as like that sort of thing, this is the kind of thing that they like. Very much a vehicle for the star, and a tad fast and loose with the history. Was, left with the uncomfortable feeling had it been a European or US film it would likely have been moaned about as being Islamophobic, racist & possibly, homophobic (?). Cinematography was fine. Costumes; well, not for the purist, but it's a movie, so... Disappointing, because the real story is a fine one. See more Stephen C @bob25009 May 20, 2025 2.5 hours based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Sameer Khan Apr 18, 2025 Very fantastic movie See more Read all reviews
Kesari

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Movie Info

Synopsis A Sikh warrior participates in the Battle of Saragarhi.
Director
Anurag Singh
Producer
Karan Johar, Sunir Kheterpal, Akshay Kumar, Apoorva Mehta
Screenwriter
Girish Kohli, Anurag Singh
Production Co
Azure Entertainment, Dharma Productions, Zee Studios, Cape of Good Films
Genre
Action, History, Drama
Original Language
Hindi
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 21, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8M
Runtime
2h 30m
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