Ananya Panday Silences Doubters with Powerful Performance in Kesari Chapter 2

Director Karan Singh Tyagi reveals how Ananya’s intense preparation and dedication transformed her into India’s first female lawyer on-screen.

When Kesari Chapter 2 was announced, much of the chatter centered around Ananya Panday’s unexpected casting as Dilreet Gill. Critics and trolls questioned the choice, but when the film finally hit theaters, Ananya stunned audiences by owning every scene she was in. Director Karan Singh Tyagi, in an exclusive conversation with Koimoi, expressed how thrilled he was with the positive response to her performance, calling her a “dynamite” on screen.

Reflecting on the decision to cast Ananya despite the initial backlash, Tyagi emphasized that their primary focus was always staying true to the story. “We were committed to the script. For the role of Dilreet Gill—India’s first female lawyer—we needed someone young who could embody both vulnerability and fierce determination. These contrasting qualities had to shine through, and Ananya captured them beautifully,” he explained.

Tyagi praised Ananya’s unwavering commitment to bringing Dilreet Gill to life. After being captivated by the script, Ananya dedicated herself fully to the demanding role. She undertook over a year of dialect coaching under expert Amitij Singh Grewal to master authentic Punjabi diction. Alongside this, she immersed herself in historical literature, particularly poetry reflecting the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, keeping a treasured book of poems with her throughout the shoot to stay emotionally connected to the era.

But her preparation didn’t stop at language and emotional depth. To accurately portray the nuances of a lawyer, Ananya shadowed a practicing female lawyer from the Bombay High Court. Observing real courtroom proceedings helped her internalize the subtleties of legal demeanor, from speech patterns to body language—an effort that shines clearly in her performance.

In Kesari Chapter 2, Ananya Panday steps into the shoes of Dilreet Gill, working alongside Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of C. Sankaran Nair. Together, their characters fight a fierce legal battle against British colonial rule, making the film not just a historical drama but a tribute to unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle.