New Delhi:
Akshay Kumar first movie of the year, Kesari has broke Gully Boy's record to become the biggest opener of 2019 despite many movies theatres remaining closed during the first half of the day due to Holi.
However, later in the day, the audience came out in large numbers and sufficed for the sluggish earning in the first half. Not just the audience, even the critics have loves the war movie based on the Battle of Sargarhi.
According to a report in Box Office India, Kesari opening day figures will be in the range of Rs 21- Rs 22 crore. The Karan Johar produced war epic is the first film of 2019 to go past Rs 20 crore mark on its day one itself.Â
Arjun Kapoor, who was last seen in the sequel of Akshay starrer Namaste London, said via Twitter that one does not need to be a Sikh to connect with Kesari. Calling it a story that deserves to be told, Arjun praised the entire team. In his follow-up tweets, he emphasised that Akshay Kumar was born to play the role of Ishar Singh as his emotions and rage make the film worth a watch. He added that Parineeti Chopra’s last moment with Akshay Kumar on-screen will make everyone emotional.
You don’t need to be a Sikh to feel connected to #kesari !!! Absolutely blown away with the emotion, it’s a story that deserves to be viewed on the big screen because of director @SinghAnurag79 s vision his team of actors & technicians deserve immense credit in pulling it off !!!
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) March 21, 2019
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Calling it a visually captivating film, Kiara Advani wrote on Twitter that Akshay Kumar adds depth to every character he plays on-screen.
#KESARI is such a well made film, so beautifully shot it’s visually captivating! @akshaykumar Sir you add so much depth to each character that u essay. Congratulations @DharmaMovies @SinghAnurag79 @ParineetiChopra & team for telling this brave story with so much valour & emotion
— Kiara Advani (@Advani_Kiara) March 21, 2019
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Film critic and Trade analyst Taran Adarsh gave the film 4 stars and called it Akshay Kumar’s career-best act. In his review, Taran said that Kesari is a story of nationalism, patriotism and heroism.Â
#OneWordReview…#Kesari: OUTSTANDING!
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) March 19, 2019
Rating: âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸
Chronicles a significant chapter from history brilliantly... Nationalism, patriotism, heroism, scale and soul - #Kesari has it all... Akshay’s career-best act... Anurag Singh’s direction terrific... Don’t miss! #KesariReview pic.twitter.com/hrNtAgObno
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Film critic Rajeev Masand reviewed Kesari as "A well-intentioned but bloated war film that left me feeling like I’d barely survived battle myself."
My review of #Kesari - https://t.co/YU7PM9qpCn Battle weary! @CNNnews18
— Rajeev Masand (@RajeevMasand) March 21, 2019
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Akshay's wife Twinkle Khanna also gave a heartfelt review of the movie but called it 'Biased'. "A moving story of extraordinary courage with some kick-ass action -my absolutely biased opinion :) I really really didn’t want to but ended up crying at the end like everyone else watching, " she said.
A moving story of extraordinary courage with some kick-ass action -my absolutely biased opinion :) I really really didn’t want to but ended up crying at the end like everyone else watching #Kesari pic.twitter.com/PM8dK9qcOx
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) March 21, 2019
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Kesari also became the second highest opener for Akshay Kumar right behind Independence Day 2018 release Gold. Helmed and written by Anurag Singh, Kesari has been directed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.