Kesari Veer Review: Suraj Pancholi’s Overambitious Comeback Fails to Roar in This Dull Historic Saga
By BollywoodPollywoodLifez
The much-hyped historical drama Kesari Veer has finally hit the big screen, but sadly, it lacks the aura, intensity, and emotional depth that one expects from a tale woven around bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism. Despite a promising premise, the film falters in execution, storytelling, and most shockingly—performance. With Suraj Pancholi in the lead, the film tries to establish an epic, but ends up being an over-glorified school play that misses its soul. Read on to know why this film is far from being a must-watch theatrical experience.
Star Cast
- Suraj Pancholi as Kesari Veer
- Ritu Chauhan as Meera
- Rajendra Gupta as Commander Thakur
- Govind Namdev in a cameo
Story
Kesari Veer tries to narrate the tale of an unsung hero who rises against British oppression, inspired by raw courage and patriotism. Set during colonial times, the film follows Kesari, a young warrior who leads a rebellion from a small village, eventually being seen as a national symbol of resistance. There are attempts at emotional turmoil, familial conflict, and patriotic upheaval—but most of it remains either undercooked or exaggerated without relevance.
Story Review: What Went Wrong
The problem lies not in the story’s intention but in its storytelling. Unlike Vicky Kaushal’s Sam Bahadur, which balanced historical facts with compelling human drama, Kesari Veer becomes repetitive and preachy. The script lacks rhythm. Emotional moments feel forced. Battles feel like rehearsed stage skits. You never feel the adrenaline, nor the weight of history.
The biggest letdown is the time frame wasted in dragging out Kesari’s personal dilemmas. A romantic subplot is forcefully inserted that serves no value, and many scenes are stretched unnecessarily. The film tries hard to inject ‘goosebump moments’ with overdone background score, but nothing sticks.
Direction: A Weak Vision
One of the film’s biggest drawbacks is its direction. Suraj Pancholi’s character fails to emerge as larger-than-life not because of his inability alone, but due to a director who didn’t challenge him enough. There is no grand build-up, no impact that leaves you awestruck. The aura of a freedom fighter never lands. The scenes that were meant to elevate Suraj’s character merely underline his lack of charisma.
To make it worse, the film is peppered with dull dialogues and unnecessarily prolonged frames. The climax, which should’ve been the high point, is weak and too abrupt.
Performance Review
Suraj Pancholi returns after a long hiatus and had a golden chance to relaunch himself. Unfortunately, this comeback felt heavier than he could handle. His portrayal of Kesari feels more cosmetic than emotional. His expressions rarely sync with the emotional tone of the scene. He looks the part, but never owns it. He doesn’t seem to understand the gravity of his character, and what’s worse—the director seems to have accepted his underwhelming performance rather than pushing him to give more.
Ritu Chauhan’s presence is forgettable. The supporting cast does offer some relief, especially Rajendra Gupta, but even they are shackled by a sloppy script.
Budget & Box Office Possibility
The film is reportedly made on a modest budget of ₹30 crores, and to be honest, it shows. Apart from the few battle scenes, there is barely any visual scale. Most sets feel synthetic. The only investment worth noticing is Suraj Pancholi himself.
Given its average scale and the buzz around Suraj’s comeback, Kesari Veer may recover costs if it sees decent weekend business. But big profits seem unlikely.
Final Verdict
Kesari Veer is a classic case of a film with a great thought but a flawed delivery. It tries to awaken patriotism and celebrate the bravery of forgotten heroes, but what reaches the audience is a dull, dragging story with no emotional connect. Suraj Pancholi’s performance, instead of being a resurrection, ends up proving his limitations.
If you are a fan of historical dramas and have a soft corner for war sagas, you may want to give it a try. But don’t expect the intensity of Sam Bahadur or the finesse of Uri. It’s a one-time watch that doesn’t justify a big-screen outing. The best parts are too few, and the average ones are too many.
Rating: 2/5
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