In a significant development, Bollywood actress and filmmaker Kangana Ranaut has agreed to the changes mandated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for her highly anticipated political drama, ‘Emergency’. The CBFC informed the Bombay High Court on Monday that Ranaut has accepted the board’s requirements, prompting a deferment of the hearing to Thursday.
In a court session, advocate Sharan Jagtiani, representing Zee Studios, conveyed to the judges that Ranaut is amenable to the required edits. However, she has also requested the court’s intervention to ensure that these are the only changes to be made henceforth. “The cuts suggested don’t even touch a minute of the film. It’s just some words here and there,” Chief Justice DY Chandrachud stated, emphasizing the minor nature of the edits required.
The CBFC’s revisions, although seemingly minute, are based on their stringent guidelines to ensure that films adhere to censorship standards in India. The film has already received a U/A certificate from the CBFC, but more edits are still required before it can officially release. Persistent delays and recurrent changes over the past few months have kept the movie’s release in limbo.
‘Emergency’, written and directed by Kangana Ranaut, retraces a pivotal chapter in Indian history, focusing on the period of Emergency declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and her assassination by her bodyguards. Ranaut takes on the challenging role of Indira Gandhi herself, a portrayal that is already grabbing attention.
Backing the strong ensemble cast, the film features veteran actors like Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in significant roles. Produced by Zee Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Renu Pitti, ‘Emergency’ showcases music by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar, while the screenplay and dialogues are penned by Ritesh Shah. Despite the obstacles, anticipation remains high for the announcement of the movie’s release date.
Parallel to these developments, news about Kangana Ranaut’s personal life emerged recently, adding another layer of intrigue. Reports surfaced that Ranaut has sold her bungalow in the upscale Pali Hill neighborhood of Mumbai.
. During an interview with News 18, she explained her decision, saying, “Naturally, my film was supposed to release. I put all my personal property on it. Now that it’s not released, so anyway, that’s what properties are for – for times of crisis.”
This property has its own controversial history. It was partially demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after Kangana publicly criticized Uddhav Thackeray and came into a direct confrontation with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut over the tragic demise of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The BMC’s justification for the demolition was “illegal alterations” made to the property. Interestingly, Kangana had been offered Rs 2 crores in compensation for the demolition, an offer she declined.
While Kangana’s legal and personal battles continue, her commitment to ‘Emergency’ has been unwavering. The movie aims to shed light on one of the most turbulent periods in Indian political history, a time when civil liberties were suspended, and dissenting voices were silenced. By choosing to play a historical figure as polarizing and influential as Indira Gandhi, Kangana plans to present a nuanced perspective on a leader who left an indelible mark on India’s political landscape.
The deferral of the High Court hearing to Thursday indicates that the legal wranglings surrounding the film are far from over. Despite agreeing to the CBFC’s demands, Ranaut’s team seems keen to ensure that no further changes will be imposed at a later stage. This assurance, if granted, will allow the filmmakers to finally move forward with the release plans, much to the relief of the production team and the audience eagerly awaiting the film.
The Bombay High Court’s involvement has added a judicial layer to the already high-stakes situation, transforming it into a closely watched saga. The final hearing will be instrumental in deciding the film’s fate, and the industry is keenly observing how this legal narrative will unfold.
As we await the impending hearing, one can’t help but speculate about the future trajectory of ‘Emergency’. Will it manage to meet its revised release timeline, or will it encounter yet another hurdle? Only time will tell, but for now, all eyes are set on Thursday’s proceedings, which promise to bring some resolution to this ongoing saga.
