Akshay Kumar’s much-anticipated historical Kesari Chapter 2 is making its presence felt at the North American box office. According to the latest figures, the film has grossed an impressive $172,341 on its fifth day from 298 locations, taking its total reported gross in North America to $1,077,447 ( Rs 9.22 crore ) .The film also featured R Madhavan and Ananya Panday in leading roles.

In the United States alone, the film has collected $479,885 so far. Meanwhile, the film’s performance in Canada has been particularly noteworthy, with Kesari Chapter 2 earning CAD $597,562 by the end of Day 5. The strong showing in Canada reflects Akshay Kumar’s significant fan base in the region, where his patriotic dramas and action entertainers have traditionally performed well.
The film, which is a spiritual sequel to the 2019 hit Kesari, continues the saga of Indians taking on foreign powers. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi- the film is based on Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s book The Case That Shook The Empire. The book talks about the case that was fought by Sir C Sankaran Nair and the British Crown after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that took place in Amritsar.
Back home in India, Kesari Chapter 2 has registered a total of Rs 42 crore at the domestic box office within its first six days of release. While the film opened with strong collections, weekday drops have been steady but controlled, keeping it in the race for a respectable lifetime total.
Trade note that while the film hasn’t matched the blockbuster pace of Kumar’s previous patriotic hits like Kesari or Airlift, it has found a loyal audience in international territories. North America, in particular, has shown consistent footfalls, especially in Canada’s Sikh-dominated regions.
With the weekend approaching and with just one big film Ground Zero starring Emraan Hashmi releasing, industry trackers are hopeful that Kesari Chapter 2 will add a solid chunk to its total in both domestic and overseas markets. If the current trend continues, the film could comfortably cross the $1.5 million mark in North America by the end of its second weekend, securing a spot among the year’s better-performing Bollywood titles overseas.

The bond between Japan and India is a precious one and people from both sides should cherish it, says Japanese actor Kappei Yamaguchi, known for his voice starring role in the globally popular anime series “One Piece“. Yamaguchi, who voices the fictional character Usopp in the franchise created by Eiichiro Oda, said India is a country just as powerful as the world of the long-running Japanese show.
“‘One Piece’ can really make everyone smile, and I think that’s the case in India and, of course, in America and even in Europe. I’ve been able to experience this for myself by going to various places. It’s a really precious bond (between Japan and India) that we should continue to cherish…
“I thought India was a very powerful country, an exciting country, and I myself have grown to love this country, but the fact that the people of this country are supporting ‘One Piece’ makes me think that it is a country that is just as powerful as the world of ‘One Piece’,” Yamaguchi told PTI in an interview.
The actor was recently in India along with his “One Piece” co-star Hiraoki Hirata for the Mumbai Comic Con 2025.
The series, which has been on air since 1999, follows the adventures of Monkey D Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. With his crew, named the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy explores the Grand Line in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as the “One Piece” in order to become the next King of the Pirates.
Hirata, who voices Sanji in the show, said he is happy to see “One Piece” being recognised in India.
“I’d heard that it was really popular all over the world, but I only experienced it for real when I went to America and saw how enthusiastic the fans there were. So, as Kappie said, when people from countries like India get excited, the power they show is incredible…” he added.
While Yamaguchi and Hirata have been voicing the characters of Usopp and Sanji for 25 years now, both the actors originally auditioned to essay Luffy and Roronoa Zoro.
Mayumi Tanaka and Kazuya Nakai eventually voiced the roles of Luffy and Zoro, respectively.
Yamaguchi said he had never before played a role like Usopp, a member of the Straw Hat Pirates who serves as their sniper.
“I was really worried at first. But now it has been 25 years of me working with the character, I am able to do it now. I think the character of Usopp has already become familiar to me, to the point where I wonder what my initial concerns were…
“The character has changed a lot (over the years), as I’ve been able to put more and more of my own feelings and various aspects of myself into it. I think he’s probably the character I have the most freedom with now,” he added.
Voice starring in “One Piece” has had “a huge impact” on Yamaguchi, he said.
“The fact that I can feel happy about being able to work on this series is the greatest thing of all. We have been given a wonderful gift in the form of the ‘One Piece’ series, which brings a smile to people’s faces and allows them to talk to each other.”
Hirata said Yamaguchi was already a famous voice actor, but he was unknown before joining the cast of “One Piece”.
“So, when I got the role of Sanji in ‘One Piece’, my life completely changed. When I was chosen as Sanji, ‘One Piece’ fans didn’t know who I was at all,” he added.

Naomika Saran, the granddaughter of Bollywood legend Rajesh Khanna and daughter of actress Rinke Khanna, is steadily capturing hearts with her elegant public appearances. After recently turning heads alongside her grandmother, veteran actress Dimple Kapadia, Naomika once again became the centre of attention during a casual outing in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon.
Dressed in a relaxed outfit, a simple shirt and jeans, with her hair neatly tied in a ponytail, Naomika was spotted by the paparazzi as she arrived at a building. Onlookers couldn’t take their eyes off the young star kid, who appeared visibly overwhelmed by the unexpected attention. Despite the crowd and cameras, she maintained her composure, smiling warmly as she walked in.
While she chose not to pose for pictures, Naomika did acknowledge the photographers with a sweet wave and a charming smile before stepping inside. Her natural beauty and down-to-earth demeanor left fans gushing over her appearance, sparking even more curiosity about her.
Who is Naomika Saran?
Born in 2004, Naomika is the niece of author and former actress Twinkle Khanna and cousin to Aarav and Nitara Kumar, children of Twinkle and actor Akshay Kumar. She completed her schooling in Gurugram, Haryana, and pursued higher education at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Currently, she is studying in London, focusing on her academic pursuits.
Naomika recently turned heads at a Maddock Films event in Mumbai, where she accompanied her grandmother, Dimple Kapadia. Dressed in a chic black mini dress, she exuded elegance and confidence, drawing comparisons to her grandfather, Rajesh Khanna. Dimple Kapadia, in a graceful gesture, encouraged Naomika to pose solo for the paparazzi, allowing her granddaughter to shine in the spotlight.

Fans and media outlets have noted Naomika’s striking features, particularly her light-colored eyes, which she shares with her cousin Aarav. Her resemblance to both her mother, Rinke Khanna, and grandfather, Rajesh Khanna, has been a topic of admiration among netizens.

While Naomika has not officially announced any plans to enter the film industry, her recent public appearances and familial connections have led to speculation about a potential Bollywood debut. Reports suggest that she may be preparing for a film opposite Agastya Nanda, adding to the excitement surrounding the next generation of Bollywood stars.