Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan’s new film, ‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh’, hit theaters on Good Friday and is already making waves. The courtroom period drama has been getting rave reviews, drawing its story from the life of Advocate C. Shankaran Nair, who took the British government to court after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The film boasts an impressive cast, with Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan delivering standout performances. But it’s Simon Pasley Daye’s portrayal of Brigadier General Reginald Dyer that’s stealing the show. He brings to life the ruthless British officer who ordered his troops to fire on the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh.
A Seasoned British Actor
Simon Pasley Daye is a veteran British actor born on April 13, 1967, in England. With a career spanning over three decades, he has made a name for himself in theater, radio dramas, television shows, and films. He’s worked with renowned playwrights like Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare, and Bruce Norris, bringing their characters to life on stage.
From Television to OTT
Simon’s television career took off with the BBC’s popular show ‘Red Dwarf’. He went on to appear in hit TV series like ‘Doctor Who’, ‘The Last Detective’, and ‘The Musketeers’. Fans may also recognize him from Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ and Benedict Cumberbatch’s ‘Sherlock’.
Stepping into Films
Simon made his film debut in 2004 with ‘Churchill: The Hollywood Years’. He’s since appeared in notable films like ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’, ‘Victoria & Abdul’, and ‘Brexit: The Uncivil War’.
‘Kesari Chapter 2’ – A Story of Justice
‘Kesari Chapter 2’ marks Simon’s Bollywood debut, where he plays General Dyer, the British officer responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The film is based on the book ‘The Case That Shook the Empire’ and is directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. On that fateful day in April 1919, people had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to protest the Rowlatt Act during the Baisakhi festival.
