Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar is set to portray Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair (CS Nair) in Kesari Chapter 2, a film based on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its aftermath. The movie highlights the life of this fearless lawyer and statesman, who stood against British rule.
Who Was Sir CS Nair in Kesari?
Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was a respected Indian lawyer and nationalist from Kerala. Born into a wealthy family, he played an important role in India’s fight for justice during British rule. He became the youngest president of the Indian National Congress and was later knighted by the British for his contributions. However, his loyalty to his country remained stronger than any British honor.
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During the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, thousands of innocent Indians were killed by British soldiers under the orders of General Reginald Dyer. At that time, CS Nair was the Education Minister and the only Indian member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Deeply disturbed by the massacre, he resigned in protest, making a bold statement against British rule. His resignation led to significant changes, including the lifting of martial law in Punjab.
CS Nair later wrote a book, Gandhi and Anarchy, in which he strongly criticized Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, for his role in the massacre. O’Dwyer filed a defamation case against Nair in the London High Court. This historic case, O’Dwyer v. Nair, lasted for over five weeks and was one of the longest civil trials of that time. Although the court ruled against him, CS Nair refused to apologize and chose to pay a fine instead.
He continued to advocate for India’s freedom and justice until his death in 1934. Years later, in 1940, Udham Singh, an Indian revolutionary, avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer in London.
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Kesari Chapter 2 is based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire, which details this significant legal battle. The film aims to bring CS Nair’s courage and determination to a wider audience, celebrating his contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
