Karan Singh Tyagi wins best debut director of an Indian feature film at the 56th IFFI for ‘Kesari Chapter 2’

Filmmaker Karan Singh Tyagi was honoured with the Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) for his film Kesari Chapter 2 , featuring Akshay Kumar in the lead role. The accolade was presented to Tyagi on Friday, November 28, by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, L Murugan, during the festival’s closing ceremony. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju was also present at the event.

The recognition came during a landmark edition of IFFI, held in Goa from November 20 to November 28, 2025. This year’s festival featured a vibrant float parade instead of the traditional inauguration ceremony and showcased 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres and 46 Asian premieres. It also hosted IFFIESTA 2025, a cultural and music carnival that added to the celebratory atmosphere. The festival concluded with Vietnamese film Skin of Youth winning the Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film, while superstar Rajinikanth was felicitated for completing 50 years in cinema.

The jury lauded the film for its craft, historical relevance, and compelling storytelling. They highlighted how the film effectively depicts pivotal moments from India’s struggle for independence, calling it a work of “visual excellence.” The award recognises the contributions of the director, producers, cast, and technical crew, emphasising the film’s cinematic values and historical significance.

Kesari Chapter 2 , which also stars R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday, hit theatres earlier this month on April 18. Set in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the film follows C Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), a principled barrister who challenges the British Empire in court, seeking justice for the countless lives lost during that tragic event.

The film is a sequel to Kesari , which starred Parineeti Chopra and centred on the valour of 21 Sikh soldiers in the 1897 battle, bringing the historical saga of courage and patriotism to the big screen.