Kesari Veer Review: Sunil Shetty and Vivek Oberoi Steal the Show

Movie Review: Kesari Veer

Star Rating: 3.5/5
Director: Prince Dhiman
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Genre: Historical Drama

Overview

The 14th-century defence of the revered Somnath temple is revisited in the historical drama Kesari Veer. Sunil Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, Sooraj Pancholi, and Akanksha Sharma are all in the Prince Dhiman-directed movie. While the film sets out to pay tribute to an unsung warrior, it is often bogged down by cinematic liberties and inconsistent storytelling.

Plot Summary

The film centers on Hamirji Gohil (Sooraj Pancholi), a brave Rajput warrior who stands against the invading forces of Zafar Khan (Vivek Oberoi) to protect the Somnath temple. He is supported by Meghraj (Sunil Shetty), a staunch Shiva devotee, and tribal chief Vegda ji. Alongside this historical struggle, the film explores Hamir’s romantic relationship with Rajal (Akanksha Sharma).

The story takes creative liberties in weaving emotional drama, romance, and action into the historical narrative. While this adds entertainment value, it occasionally disrupts the film's tone and detaches it from its core purpose.

Direction and Screenplay

Although Prince Dhiman, the director, gives the story emotion, the movie lacks a clear focal point.

Strengths:

The second half delivers powerful sequences and a more focused narrative.
Action scenes are dynamic and well-executed, particularly in the climax.
At pivotal points, the central theme of sacrifice and patriotism is successfully communicated.

Weaknesses:

The first half is diluted by unnecessary romantic and celebratory subplots.
Overuse of cinematic liberty weakens historical authenticity.
Writing and pacing fluctuate, reducing emotional impact.

Performances

Sooraj Pancholi makes a strong return, physically and emotionally committed to the role of Hamirji Gohil. He does well in action situations but falls flat in scenes that are more emotional.
Sunil Shetty is impressive as Meghraj, delivering a solid and spiritually grounded performance.
Vivek Oberoi stands out as Zafar Khan, portraying the villain with intensity and conviction.
Akanksha Sharma brings energy to her action scenes but needs more refinement in emotional acting.

Music and Technical Aspects

The music adds depth to the film:

"Har Har Shambhu" is spiritually uplifting and emotionally resonant.
"Bharat Vishwaguru" adds a patriotic layer.
A Garba sequence adds visual flair but feels tonally mismatched with the serious subject matter.

Visually, the film has its moments, but the VFX and production design fall short of the standards set by other historical epics. Costumes and sets are appropriate but not exceptional.

Final Verdict

Kesari Veer is a sincere but flawed attempt at bringing a lesser-known historical tale to the big screen. It shines in moments of bravery and sacrifice but loses its grip when burdened with excess dramatization and scattered storytelling.

Should You Watch It?

Yes, if you enjoy historical action dramas and are open to a fictionalized take on real events. While it may not reach the cinematic heights of Padmaavat or Bajirao Mastani, Kesari Veer offers commendable performances and patriotic emotion, making it worth a one-time watch.