At the trailer launch in Delhi of Kesari Chapter 2: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Panday spoke about a key moment from the film’s teaser that sparked discussion.

The teaser features a courtroom exchange where Akshay playing the role of a lawyer, confronts a British judge who reminds him, “Don’t forget you’re still a slave of the British Empire.” to which he fiercely responded with “F* you.”

Addressing the reactions from the public Akshay said, “Haan maine yeh word use kiya. But kamaal ki baat yeh ki aapne yeh cheez dekhi but jo word use kiya tha you are still a slave, that was not a big gaali for you? I think usse badi gaali nahi ho sakti. I would have been happy if you had said they used the word slave rather than talking about f* you. Because according to me, at that time if they had shot with gun also it would have looked insignificant. (Yes, I used that word. But what’s surprising is that you noticed this, yet the phrase ‘you are still a slave’ was not considered a big insult? I think there can be no bigger insult than that. I would have been happier if you had pointed out that they used the word ‘slave’ rather than focusing on ‘f* you).”

Kesari Chapter 2 is the sequel to Kesari (2019), which depicted the Battle of Saragarhi. The first part starred Parineeti Chopra and Akshay Kumar. The sequel is set against the backdrop of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, with Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday playing the role of lawyers and all set to hit theaters on April 18.