Kesari Veer movie review: Sooraj Pancholi, Suniel Shetty's historical drama suffers from a Chhaava, Padmaavat hangover
Setting out to make a historical drama is a mammoth task, especially when the Bhansali hangover is a real thing. It simply means that any other epic made for the big screen will inevitably be compared to his larger-than-life films—replete with stunning frames, meticulously detailed sets, and high points in the story that often make up for other flaws. Kalank (2019) was a victim. Kesari Veer falls prey to that hangover too.
While filmmakers can try to replicate the aesthetics, nothing comes close to the performances Bhansali manages to extract from his actors. From Ranveer Singh in Padmaavat to Priyanka Chopra in Bajirao Mastani, many have delivered the best work of their careers under his direction. Kesari Veer? It falters on both fronts.
Directed by Prince Dhiman, Veer Kesari revolves around Hamirji Gohil, a warrior who stands up for Saurashtra and the Somnath Temple, which Zafar Khan (Vivek Oberoi) is hell-bent on destroying. Aiding Hamirji in his mission is Vegdaji (Suniel Shetty) and other members of the Bhil tribe. Do they manage to fend off the invaders? Watch the film to find out.
The first half of Kesari Veer confuses the viewer—is it a war drama? A biopic? Entry sequences for each of the three main characters—Hamirji, Vegdaji, and Rajal (Akanksha Sharma)—are as bland as they are OTT. Suniel gets a solid makeover, but that's about it. Characters flit in and out of the story with little impact. Vivek Oberoi as Zafar attempts to channel the madness of Ranveer's Khilji from Padmaavat, but ends up hamming quite a bit.
The second half becomes progressively—and unintentionally—funny. Sooraj's character, pressed for time and setting out for war, literally riding out on horseback, is intercepted by his love interest Rajal. She wants to be his wife 'if only for one day'—and the film cuts to an elaborate wedding sequence. Apparently, that was more important, despite the invaders being at the doorstep. Only after the wedding night does our hero get back to the pending task.
And of course, there's the visual nod to that famous line from Padmaavat: '…jiska sar kate, phir bhi dhad dushman se ladta rahe, voh Rajput!' We told you—the Bhansali hangover is hard to shake. Seems even Veer Kesari's makers couldn't.
The climax seems to have taken 'inspiration' from Chhaava's brilliant battle scene where Vicky Kaushal's character and his team fight near a water body—outnumbered, but not giving up.
Despite all this, Kesari Veer could have worked as a decent historical drama.
But its biggest shortcoming is its hero—Sooraj Pancholi. The man just doesn't emote! Growing one's hair for a role doesn't magically grant acting abilities. Suniel Shetty tries to lend some gravitas, but the story lets him down. Akanksha Sharma as Rajal is average, and falters in a key scene where she had the chance to shine. The VFX here is shoddy too.
The music by Monty Sharma is okay, though the incessant song placements could have been avoided.
Overall, the heart of Kesari Veer's makers lies in the right place, no doubt. But noble intentions rarely guarantee a good cinematic experience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Inside Vivek Oberoi's Dubai home: The ‘money-man' with the net worth of Rs 1200 crore who grows ‘kadhi patta' and collects ‘desi' art
Actor Vivek Oberoi, who started earning from his business endeavours as early as the age of 19, recently opened up his Dubai home to the fans and gave a look inside the 'home away from home' that he and his wife, Priyanka, have built. Situated in the scenic and glorious Meadows, where the prices of a house can range from Rs 11 crore all the way to Rs 50 crore. The house exudes class and panache while paying tribute to Vivek's childhood memories of growing up in Mumbai. Starting with the story behind the house, Vivek credited his wife for the entire episode and said that he is now glad that they didn't move to downtown Dubai, like he initially wanted to. 'I didn't even select the location of this house. All of this – the house, the interior, and the design – all credit goes to Priyanka; she is the boss. Both of us love paintings, but I was the one who chose all the art for the house, all 'desi' painters. The rest of it is all Priyanka. She is in love with the whole 'vintage' and 'homey' style of decor. We are also surrounded by a lot of greenery, and my wife is a 'constant' gardener,' Vivek shared with Curly Tales. ALSO READ: Inside Aayush Sharma-Arpita Khan's apartment where they live in separate rooms: 'Whenever she is upset with me…' He mentioned how the greenery, the paintings and certain things around the house keep their memories of India alive, yet according to Vivek, home is still Mumbai. He said, 'If you ask me where home is, it is still Mumbai, because even now when I go back there, I don't feel like returning to Dubai. But I love living here as well, and I think it's trying to have the best of both worlds. We have tried to recreate a lot of our memories; we are surrounded by a lot of water; we have got the gulmohar trees that I grew up around in Juhu; and we have our own organic garden with curry leaves and some vegetables once in a while.' As an entrepreneur who handles a vast portfolio containing several businesses and is worth more than Rs 1200 crore, Vivek knows the importance of a relaxing home. He mentioned how he slowly eases up as he returns to his home after a long day and how even though handling businesses can be chaotic, he is happy with the life he leads here. Vivek said, 'The move to Dubai was business orientated, and your home should be a place which is very easy on you. Being able to spend time with your kids and come back from work at a reasonable hour. I get to live the 'non-film' life here that I never had in India. We try our best to keep it simple here.' Talking about his 'film' life, Vivek was last seen in Kesari Veer, alongside Suniel Shetty and Suraj Pancholi, and has several projects currently in the pipeline.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Rajamouli to build most expensive set in the history of Indian cinema for SSMB29!
Celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli, known for redefining cinematic grandeur with films like Baahubali and RRR, is now pushing the envelope further with his upcoming film starring Superstar Mahesh Babu. The latest buzz reveals that Rajamouli has constructed a massive film set replicating the ancient city of Varanasi—at a staggering cost of ₹50 crore. The elaborate set has been erected at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, to overcome the logistical and crowd-control challenges of shooting on the real streets and ghats of Varanasi. The set reportedly includes iconic ghats, temples, and riverfronts, meticulously designed to bring an authentic atmosphere to the big screen. This scale of production places the film among the most expensive projects ever in Indian cinema. To put things into perspective, the entire budget of opulent films like Devdas (2002) was ₹50 crore, while sets for projects like Bajirao Mastani, Heeramandi, and Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo cost between ₹15–₹20 crore. Rajamouli's decision to invest this much in a single set underlines the sheer scale and vision behind the project. The yet-untitled film, inspired by mythological themes surrounding Lord Hanuman and ancient exploration, is said to revolve around adventurous elements like the search for healing herbs at Mount Dronagiri. With a massive estimated budget of ₹1,000 crore, this cinematic spectacle is shaping up to be a pan-world release. Alongside Mahesh Babu, the film will also star Priyanka Chopra, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and others in pivotal roles. Music is being composed by Oscar-winning MM Keeravaani, adding further weight to the film's grandeur. With such enormous scale and storytelling ambition, this project could redefine global perceptions of Indian cinema.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Sooraj Pancholi On Losing Films After Jiah Khan Case: 'They Had To Protect Their Investment'
Last Updated: Sooraj Pancholi opens up on his return to films, industry rejections post Jiah Khan case, and why he holds no grudges: "They had to protect their investment." In a small studio tucked away in Mumbai's Andheri, Sooraj Pancholi seems almost too restless for the confined space. He suggests walking and talking—an idea betrayed by the modest dimensions of the room. So instead, the 34-year-old actor settles for a traditional sit-down interview, though the energy in him is hard to contain. It's been just a few days since the release of Kesari Veer, a historical epic that marked Sooraj's long-anticipated return to the big screen. The film may not have set the box office ablaze—it grossed ₹25 crore worldwide against a reported ₹60 crore budget—but Sooraj isn't dwelling on the numbers. 'I get messages from colleagues, directors, and fans who say I've grown since my first film," he says. Then he pauses and adds with quiet candour, 'But I'm still not satisfied. I want to do better work, better films, and work with experienced directors." Kesari Veer, which featured an ensemble cast including Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Akanksha Sharma, might not have been a commercial triumph, but for Sooraj, it represents something far more personal: a reset. 'Each film, no matter its fate, builds more confidence in an actor. Even a flop teaches you something. Still a long, long way to go," he reflects. His journey in cinema has been anything but linear. Since his debut in 2015 with Hero, Sooraj has appeared in just four films as a leading man—largely because the past decade saw him caught in a legal storm. In 2013, his then-girlfriend, actor Jiah Khan, died by suicide. Sooraj was arrested and charged with abetment. It wasn't until 2023 that a CBI special court acquitted him, citing lack of evidence. For Sooraj, Kesari Veer isn't just a film. It's a personal milestone. 'This is the first time there is no other load on me," he says, acknowledging that the burden of public scrutiny has finally begun to lift. And yet, even after two years of acquittal and over a decade since the tragedy, the questions persist. '2025 is the last time I'm talking about this," he states firmly. 'It's done. Everyone has seen and read all about it." Does he feel bitter about how the industry reacted? 'Many filmmakers backed out of films I was cast in," he admits. 'But I understood. Paise unhi ke lag rahe hain, boss (They're the ones investing money). I wasn't producing those films. They had to do what they thought was right. Everything has its own time." But there's no trace of self-pity. If anything, Sooraj sees the uphill climb as a badge of honour. 'I like it this way," he says with a shrug. 'I prefer having everything the hard way. Fire will always test gold." Now, with Kesari Veer behind him, he's looking ahead with optimism—and clarity. 'In the end, I'm only as good as my directors," he muses. It's no surprise then that his wishlist includes names like Kabir Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, both of whom he assisted before stepping into the limelight. 'It would be full circle," he smiles. 'And once that happens, I hope we can sit on these very chairs again and talk about that phase of my life." First Published:
