TMC Slams ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ Over Alleged Distortion of Bengal’s Freedom Struggle, FIR Filed

‘Kesari Chapter 2’ Sparks Row Over Historical Distortion, FIR Filed by TMC.

West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has launched a scathing attack on the makers of the Bollywood film Kesari Chapter 2, accusing them of “distorting historical facts” and “insulting Bengali revolutionaries” who played key roles in India’s freedom movement.

The controversy centres on the portrayal of iconic figures such as Khudiram Bose and Barindra Kumar Ghosh. According to TMC leaders, the film refers to Bose as “Khudiram Singh” and presents Barindra Ghosh as “Birendra Kumar” from Amritsar, thereby erasing their Bengali identity and contribution.

An FIR has been lodged at the Bidhannagar South police station against seven producers of the film under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). At a press conference on Wednesday, senior TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Arup Chakraborty condemned the film’s content as a “deliberate distortion of Bengal’s freedom history.”

“This is not a mere factual error — it is a conspiracy to diminish Bengal’s role in the independence struggle,” said Ghosh. “How did such a film even get a censor certificate?”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, without naming the film directly, echoed the criticism, accusing the BJP of attempting to “undermine Bengal’s history and cultural legacy.” “There are repeated attempts to erase the contribution of Bengali revolutionaries,” Banerjee said. “The BJP and its ecosystem are targeting Bengal’s heritage.”

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is reportedly based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. The film features Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday in key roles.

Beyond Bose and Ghosh, the film has also drawn criticism for allegedly omitting or altering the identity of Hemchandra Kanungo, the revolutionary who trained young nationalists in bomb-making. His character is reportedly replaced with a fictional figure named Kripal Singh, TMC leaders alleged.

The party has also questioned the role of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in allowing the film to pass without objections. “The censor board must explain how these distortions were cleared. This is an attack on the truth,” said Chakraborty.

Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the controversy, accusing the TMC of politicising the issue. “Names are often changed in fictionalised films. TMC is making an issue out of nothing,” said BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya.

The backlash has extended beyond politics. Renowned Bengali actor Ritwick Chakraborty criticised the filmmakers for neglecting historical accuracy. “This is either poor research or a careless screenplay. Either way, it’s a disservice to Bengal’s freedom fighters,” he said.

The film has also sparked outrage online, with a section of Bengali viewers taking to social media to demand accountability from the filmmakers and the censor board.