DNA (August 28, 2017)

After Salman Khan decided against co-producing the film on the Battle of Saragarhi with Karan Johar, there were reports that the film has been shelved. However, that’s far from the truth. An insider says, “The film is now titled Kesar, which means saffron.” There is speculation about link between the title and the colour of the ruling party BJP, especially because Akshay’s last film Toilet - Ek Prem Katha was also in sync with the Government’s Swachh Bharat campaign.

However, a source negates this, “The film has nothing to do with the BJP. Kesar stands for many things. It’s also a name. There is also a TV serial by the same name.” In the film, Akshay plays Havaldar Ishar Singh, the military commander of 21 Sikh soldiers, who on September 12, 1897, led his men in a battle against thousands of Afghani invaders. This clash came to be known as the Battle Of Saragarhi.