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Action drama

Kesari (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Kesari (2019) movie poster

Kesari is a 2019 action drama directed by Anurag Singh, starring Akshay Kumar as Havildar Ishar Singh, Vansh Bhardwaj and Rakesh Sharma. It runs 2 hours 30 minutes and earned $22.5 million worldwide. IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
worldwide gross
$22.5M
Echo Score
84
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Kesari (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 30m (150 min)
Director
Anurag Singh
Genres
Action , Drama , History , War
Original language
Marathi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kesari About?

The premise of Kesari without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young man from a modest background relentlessly pursues his dream of winning the prestigious Maharashtra Kesari wrestling tournament. He faces formidable opponents and intense pressure as he strives to embody strength, honor, and the rich traditions of the competition. The journey tests his physical and mental endurance, pushing him to overcome obstacles and define his own path to victory.

Kesari Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • sikh
  • based on true story
  • afghan
  • fight to death
  • patriotism
  • islam
  • muslim
  • reference to allah
  • allahu akbar
  • one against many
  • one man army
  • 19th century
+10 more
  • last stand
  • indian history
  • sikh soldier
  • british raj
  • military officer
  • english
  • year 1897
  • period drama
  • epic action
  • epic drama
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Cast & crew

Kesari Cast & Characters

Akshay Kumar leads the cast as Havildar Ishar Singh, with Vansh Bhardwaj as Lance Naik Chanda Singh and Rakesh Sharma as Bhola Singh. Directed by Anurag Singh; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Anurag Singh

More films directed by Anurag Singh: Super Singh, Punjab 1984, Disco Singh and Jatt & Juliet 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kesari Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Kesari 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

84 /100

Kesari Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Kesari presents a compelling blend of striking visual craft and robust performances, though its narrative pacing can be uneven. Viewers consistently praise the film’s dynamic cinematography and production design, along with Akshay Kumar’s commanding portrayal and strong ensemble cohesion. At the same time, several remarks highlight extended first-half sequences and moments of melodrama that interrupt the narrative flow. Despite these pacing concerns, the film remains an engaging and emotionally resonant experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, Kesari demonstrates a strong visual identity through expansive location photography, detailed production design, and crisp camerawork. Many reviews highlight the film’s realistic VFX and well-choreographed action sequences as standout elements. However, critiques point to an overlong first half and occasional editorial lapses that affect pacing. Overall, the film’s visual and technical execution leaves a generally positive impression despite minor structural inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Kesari is anchored by a forceful lead performance and strong ensemble chemistry. Critics note Akshay Kumar’s intensity and authenticity in portraying Havaldar Ishar Singh, complemented by effective camaraderie among the Sikh soldiers. Some observations mention underdeveloped supporting roles, particularly limited depth for certain characters. In sum, the film’s emotional core and character portrayals deliver compelling engagement, offset by occasional unevenness in minor arcs.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding Story & Flow, Kesari offers an epic historical narrative grounded in a stirring true event, yet it experiences intermittent pacing challenges. Multiple accounts describe an overlong first act and occasional melodramatic shifts that interrupt plot momentum. At the same time, the screenplay’s sharp dialogues and tension in the climactic sequences maintain strong engagement. Overall, while the film’s storyline is inspiring, its uneven flow can detract from consistent immersion.

  • Sensory Experience 83

    When focusing on Sensory Experience, Kesari delivers with robust sound design, an emotive musical score, and impactful action choreography. Reviewers highlight the resonance of the background music and the authenticity of combat sequences enhanced by realistic sound effects. Some note that extended slow-motion segments can feel exhaustive and momentarily disrupt immersion. Overall, the film succeeds in creating a visceral and coherent audiovisual atmosphere, tempered by occasional stylistic excesses.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Kesari combines memorable performances and stirring battle scenes that invite repeat viewings. Many observations point to the emotional resonance of climactic moments and the appeal of strong ensemble dynamics. Conversely, some find the film’s length and intermittent pacing issues may lessen its allure upon subsequent viewings. In summary, while the movie’s impactful highlights encourage reengagement, its structural unevenness could temper long-term replay value.

Plot

Kesari Plot Summary

What happens in Kesari from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Kesari presents a gripping portrayal of the events leading up to the Battle of Saragarhi, an iconic confrontation between the British Indian Army and the Pashtun tribesmen. This battle took place in an area that corresponds to parts of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, where 21 valiant soldiers of the 36th Sikhs faced a staggering force of approximately 6,000 to 10,000 adversaries.

The historical backdrop reflects the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who established the Sikh Empire in northern India and set up a series of forts along the Afghan border to safeguard his kingdom. With the British takeover of India, they positioned Sikh troops on the Afghan frontiers, recognizing them as the only force capable of defending against their formidable opponents.

Full summary

The whole story of Kesari, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Kesari Box Office

Kesari grossed $22.5 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$22.5M

International
$22.5M
Videos

Kesari Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.

Kesari | Official Trailer | Akshay Kumar | Parineeti Chopra | Anurag Singh
  • Clip Glimpses of Kesari - Part 1 | Akshay Kumar | Parineeti Chopra | Anurag Singh | Kesari | 21st March
  • Clip Glimpses of Kesari - Part 2 | Akshay Kumar | Parineeti Chopra | Anurag Singh | Kesari | 21st March
  • Clip Glimpses of Kesari - Part 3 | Akshay Kumar | Parineeti Chopra | Anurag Singh | Kesari | 21st March
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Kesari?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

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What was the main historical event depicted in 'Kesari'?

Details

Kesari Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Soormey Aka Saragarhi” and “เกซารี”.

Also known as
  • Soormey Aka Saragarhi
  • เกซารี
  • Битва при Сарагахри
  • 凯萨里
  • 케사리
  • 凱薩裡
  • KESARI/ケサリ 21人の勇者たち
  • زعفران

Seen Kesari?

FAQ

Kesari FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Kesari, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kesari?

Kesari runs 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes).

When was Kesari released?

Kesari was released on March 21, 2019.

Who directed Kesari?

Kesari was directed by Anurag Singh.

More films by Anurag Singh

Who is in the cast of Kesari?

Kesari stars Akshay Kumar as Havildar Ishar Singh, Vansh Bhardwaj as Lance Naik Chanda Singh and Rakesh Sharma as Bhola Singh, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Kesari make at the box office?

Kesari grossed $22.5 million worldwide.

How is Kesari rated?

Kesari has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 71% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Kesari have a post-credit scene?

No. Kesari has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Kesari in?

The original language of Kesari is Marathi.

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