Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s latest film, Emergency, can be released, provided certain edits recommended by the Censor Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) revision committee are made, the Bombay High Court was informed on Thursday. The film, originally scheduled for a September 6 release, faced challenges due to allegations of historical inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the Sikh community. The film is set during the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. Government sources revealed that the film contains “sensitive content” and emphasized that “religious sentiments cannot be hurt.”
The High Court was hearing a petition from the film’s co-producers, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, seeking the issuance of a censor certificate to enable its release.
Last week, the court directed the CBFC to make a final decision, acknowledging the board’s concerns but reminding them that it is not within their jurisdiction to determine the impact on public order.
Justice BP Colabwalla, one of the two judges presiding over the case, pointed out that Ranaut’s film is a work of fiction and not a documentary, questioning, “Do you think the public is so naive that they will believe everything in a movie? What about creative freedom?”
The court further urged the CBFC to take a decisive stand, stating, “You cannot sit on the fence. Make a decision—whether to release the film or not. Show the courage to say it should not be released if that is your position. We will respect that.”
Abhinav Chandrachud, representing the CBFC, informed the court that some scenes depict a polarising figure making deals with political parties, raising concerns about factual accuracy. However, he clarified that there is no “political angle” in the movie.
Previously, the matter was brought before the Madhya Pradesh High Court after two Sikh organizations filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). In response, the CBFC informed the court that the film had not yet received a certificate, leading to the dismissal of the PIL.
Kangana Ranaut, who has been embroiled in disputes with the Congress party, including over the Himachal Pradesh government and the farmers’ protests, has expressed her frustration over the delay in receiving the censor certificate. She claimed that the postponement forced her to consider selling her property to cover financial losses.
“I had mortgaged my personal property for this film… It was meant to be in theatres by now. But with the release delayed, the property is at risk of being sold off in tough times,” Ranaut stated on social media platform X.
In Emergency, Ranaut portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the film features Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Mahima Chaudhry, and Milind Soman in significant roles.
