Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has revealed that her highly anticipated political drama Emergency is still awaiting certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The film, which explores the turbulent period during former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure, has encountered unexpected delays due to its sensitive subject matter, Kangana disclosed in a social media post.
Despite earlier reports suggesting that Emergency had received clearance from the CBFC, Kangana clarified that the film’s certification is currently on hold. “There have been rumours circulating that my film Emergency has been certified by the Censor Board. This is not true. While our film did receive clearance from the CBFC, the certification was on hold due to numerous death threats against members of the censor board,” Kangana said.
Kangana expressed her frustration with the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by the filmmakers in dealing with the pressures surrounding the film’s content. “This has put pressure on us not to depict the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Bhindranwale, and the Punjab riots in the film. This raises the question – what can we actually show in the film? That the film blacks out all of a sudden,” she elaborated. She added, “This is an unbelievable time for me and I am very sorry for the state of things in this country.”
The film’s complex narrative delves into politically sensitive themes that have sparked considerable debate. Emergency, a project helmed entirely by Kangana Ranaut, features a stellar cast including Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles.
Set against the backdrop of the Emergency period imposed in India in 1975, the film stars Ranaut as Indira Gandhi, portraying the former Prime Minister’s life and the challenges she faced. Recently, the makers intrigued the audience with the official trailer, which showcased young Indira’s bond with her father, the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and her entry into politics. The trailer also depicted key historical events such as the Shimla Agreement, the rise of the Khalistan movement, and the JP Andolan.
Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, Emergency promises to be a gripping portrayal of one of India’s most tumultuous political periods. With screenplay and dialogues by Ritesh Shah and music orchestrated by Sanchit Balhara, the film aims to captivate audiences with its depiction of this significant chapter in India’s history.
