Mumbai: Kesari Chapter 2 has not only captured the attention of critics but also found immense love from audiences across the country. While the film’s gripping courtroom drama and performances have earned widespread praise, Ananya Panday’s role as Dilreet Gill has become a talking point online — with both applause and criticism coming her way.
Amidst the mixed reactions, director Karan Singh Tyagi has stepped forward to strongly defend Ananya’s performance. In a recent conversation with in an interview with Indian Media outlet News18, Tyagi highlighted the overwhelming response to her character during public screenings.
Karan Singh Tyagi says audiences are appreciating Ananya Panday’s performance
“The audiences have given her character so much love that I would like to look at the positive. I would like to look at the love that she’s getting. Two days ago, there was a screening in Hyderabad. Some people sent me videos from there. The audience was clapping at her entry scene. She was one female lawyer in a room filled with men. And that in itself is the perfect response to all the negative comments”, Tyagi shared.
Responding to the wave of online backlash, Tyagi noted the toxic nature of social media criticism in today’s digital age.
“That’s the age we’re living in. People jump to conclusions very easily. There are clickbait headlines written, but as they say, kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (people love to talk). We just have to put our head down and work. I’m all for dissent and criticism because that gives you the opportunity to learn. But I see very unnecessary hate on social media today, which tends to become toxic certain times. It’s tragic! This is the ill-effect of social media and we’ve to learn to live with it”.
Ananya Panday’s preparation for the role of Dilreet Gill
Karan Singh Tyagi also revealed that Ananya’s performance in Gehraiyaan moved him so much that he offered her the role of Dilreet Gill. Her commitment to the part, he said, was nothing short of intense. She reportedly trained for over a year to perfect the dialect required for the character and closely studied the mannerisms of female lawyers. As part of her preparation, she even spent time at the Bombay High Court, observing the courtroom behavior and conduct of a female advocate.
About Kesari Chapter 2
Produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films, Kesari Chapter 2 is a historical courtroom drama inspired by the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. The story follows the courageous legal battle of Advocate C. Sankaran Nair against the British, aiming to expose the truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
The film stars Akshay Kumar as C. Sankaran Nair, R. Madhavan as Advocate Neville McKinley, and Ananya Panday as Dilreet Gill. The ensemble cast also includes Regina Cassandra, Simon Paisley Day, Alexx O’Nell, and Amit Sial in pivotal roles.
Since its release, the film has received a strong positive response and has already grossed ₹64.4 crore worldwide within just six days.
