Published by: Sourav Kumar
Updated on: Saturday , 24 May 2025
“Kesari Veer” sets out to be a grand historical epic but ends up being a bloated, loud, and emotionally hollow attempt at period storytelling. Directed with the intent to impress visually rather than narratively, the film focuses on scale rather than soul.
While the film does boast high production value with lavish sets and elaborate costumes, it fails at the core—writing, pacing, and character development. Borrowing too heavily from successful films like Baahubali, Kesari Veer stumbles on borrowed moments and a lack of originality.
Plot Summary
Set in the late medieval period when the Delhi Sultanate was expanding into Indian territories, Kesari Veer follows:
-
Jalaluddin Zafar Khan (Vivek Oberoi), a power-hungry general who seizes the throne and sets his sights on Saurashtra.
-
Hamirji Gohil (Sooraj Pancholi), a young and cherished Rajput prince who rises to defend his people.
-
Vegda Ji (Suniel Shetty), a tribal warrior from the Bhil community and a devout follower of Lord Shiva.
The central conflict revolves around the defense of Somnath Temple, with a parallel romantic subplot involving Hamirji and Rajal (Akanksha S), a fearless Bhil woman.
What Works (Barely)
-
Vivek Oberoi’s portrayal of Zafar Khan is the only performance with some gravitas.
-
The production design and costumes are visually rich.
-
The background score has occasional high points, though overused.
What Doesn’t Work
-
Weak Writing: Lacks narrative depth, originality, and emotional connection.
-
Inconsistent Pacing: Overextended romantic tracks and poorly timed action sequences.
-
Borrowed Moments: Heavily inspired by Baahubali, with several scenes feeling like imitations.
-
Underwhelming Performances:
-
Sooraj Pancholi lacks depth and emotional impact.
-
Suniel Shetty’s character is flat and forgettable.
-
-
Overuse of CGI: Distracting rather than immersive.
-
Misuse of Religious Chants: Over-repetition of Har Har Mahadev becomes grating.
Performances Breakdown
-
Vivek Oberoi manages to deliver a passable villain performance but veers into caricature in emotional scenes.
-
Sooraj Pancholi—confident in action but emotionally hollow.
-
Suniel Shetty—Present but not powerful; his character has little narrative weight.
-
Akanksha S—Earnest but limited by weak writing.
Critical Verdict
Kesari Veer is all ambition and no insight.
The film aims to deliver an epic tale but forgets the fundamentals of storytelling. Loud, derivative, and emotionally empty, it’s a classic case of style over substance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Kesari Veer about?
A: Kesari Veer is a historical drama centered around the conflict between a Rajput prince and a tyrannical general from the Delhi Sultanate, with themes of resistance, faith, and love.
Q2: Who plays the lead roles in Kesari Veer?
A: Sooraj Pancholi plays Hamirji Gohil, Vivek Oberoi plays Zafar Khan, and Suniel Shetty plays Vegda Ji.
Q3: Is Kesari Veer inspired by Baahubali?
A: The film borrows heavily in tone, style, and certain scenes from Baahubali, but fails to match its emotional or narrative strength.
Q4: What is the runtime of Kesari Veer?
A: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Q5: Is Kesari Veer worth watching?
A: Only if you’re a fan of over-the-top historical spectacles. For strong storytelling, the film falls short.
Q6: Is Kesari Veer based on a true story?
A: While loosely inspired by historical settings, the film takes significant creative liberties and does not follow a documented true story.
Final Thoughts
Kesari Veer is a cautionary tale in modern filmmaking: visual grandeur alone cannot make a good film. With derivative scenes, inconsistent pacing, and weak character arcs, it becomes a test of endurance rather than entertainment.
Also read : Thug Life Hindi Trailer: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s Explosive Collaboration Redefines Action Drama
