Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, starring Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, has emerged as this year’s biggest non-Netflix OTT hit. Available on JioHotstar since June 13, 2025, it quickly accumulated 15.1 million streams, topping the Most Viewed Films on OTT list for 2025 (excluding Netflix).

OTT Performance Breakdown

● Week 1: 5.7 million views within 48 hours of release.

● Week 2: Extended to 11.5 million total by day 10 .
● Current cumulative views: 15.1 million – outperforming other theatrical-to-OTT releases .

For context, the runner‑up, Tourist Family, reached 13.1 million views on OTT, while Bhool Chuk Maaf garnered 8.6 million, and Tamil titles like Thudarum and Veera Dheera Sooran 2 sit at 8.5 million and 7.7 million respectively.

Critical and Audience Reception

Audiences have praised the film’s deeply engaging courtroom narrative and Akshay’s powerful portrayal of C. Sankaran Nair, with social media abuzz:

● “Kesari Chapter 2 is a bona‑fide blockbuster!”

● Many viewers called for national awards for Kumar: “Akshay ko National Award mile”.

Critics highlighted R. Madhavan’s anchored performance and Ananya Panday’s striking restraint in a challenging role—an intentional departure from her typical parts.

Financial Snapshot

● OTT acquisition: Sold to JioHotstar for an estimated ₹100 crore – a high watermark for non-Netflix Indian films.
● Box office: Global gross of ₹150 crore, including ₹94 crore net domestically and ₹35 crore overseas.

What Sets It Apart

● Historical significance: A courtroom drama centred on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, offering a thematic shift from typical action-heavy sequels.
● Star power meets substance: Akshay’s further cementation as Bollywood’s ‘Content Kumar’—his performance is being dubbed among his most intense .
● OTT resurgence: Reinforces the trend that strong digital content can rebalance moderate box office results, giving films a “second wind” and reaching wider audiences .

2025 OTT Viewership Rankings (Excluding Netflix)

Rank	Title	Views (million)
1	Kesari Chapter 2	15.1
2	Tourist Family	13.1
3	Bhool Chuk Maaf	8.6
4	Thudarum	8.5
5	Veera Dheera Sooran 2	7.7
6	Odela 2	6.6
7	Maranamass	5.4
8	L2Empuraan	4.8
9	Be Happy	4.8
10	Alappuzha Gymkhana	3.2

Final Take

Kesari Chapter 2 marks a pivotal success for Indian OTT. Through its gripping portrayal of historical injustice, exceptional performances, and a gripping courtroom narrative, it not only struck a chord with audiences but reshaped the landscape for non-Netflix content in 2025. Its robust digital run underscores the evolving power structure of streaming platforms in spotlighting meaningful cinema.