Kangana Ranaut, the acclaimed Bollywood actress and director, has revealed her fascination with the “Shakespearean tragedy” of Indira Gandhi’s life and political career. Specifically, Ranaut is captivated by Gandhi’s controversial role during the 1975 Emergency, often cited as a period that tainted her legacy as India’s third Prime Minister. The period from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, is remembered as the “darkest chapter of Indian democracy,” and serves as the backdrop for Ranaut’s forthcoming political drama, Emergency. Not only does Ranaut headline the film as Indira Gandhi, but she also directed, co-wrote, and produced the project, which is scheduled to hit theatres on September 6.
The trailer for Emergency was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 14. Speaking at the launch event, Ranaut elaborated on her connection to the story. “Mrs. Gandhi once referred to the Emergency as a ferocious beast that she was riding, but one that would eat her alive if she dismounted. This analogy deeply resonated with me. The idea of how a conscientious individual, under the influence of their ego, can make irreversible decisions and pay a heavy price for them inspired me,” she shared.
Emergency marks Ranaut’s second directorial venture following her 2019 film, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. The narrative of her new film focuses on the chaos and repression during the Emergency years. The storyline portrays an unyielding Indira Gandhi who, faced with opposition from all corners, resorted to imprisoning her political critics and opponents, destabilizing her cabinet, and severely curtailing press freedoms and civil liberties.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has been cast as Jayaprakash Narayan, the socialist leader and a significant political adversary to Mrs. Gandhi. The cast also features notable actors such as Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Milind Soman as Sam Manekshaw, the late Satish Kaushik as Jagjivan Ram, and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi. Adding to the star power, Mahima Chaudhry will make her comeback to films after an eight-year hiatus in the role of Pupul Jayakar, a cultural activist and a close confidante of Indira Gandhi.
Ranaut took a moment to thank her cast for their dedication, acknowledging the difficulties faced in supporting and making a film with her. “Everybody knows I have been boycotted by the industry,” she remarked. “Standing with me, participating in my film, and praising me are not easy feats. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my team.” She also extended her thanks to her mentor, veteran screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, who provided substantial guidance and inspiration throughout the filmmaking process.
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Anupam Kher recounted his admiration for JP Narayan, referring to him as one of his formative heroes. “JP Narayan was the hope for the youth and the nation in fighting against oppression,” he reminisced. Kher, a young drama school student in Delhi during the Emergency, felt a personal connection to the role. “When Kangana approached me for this part, I was eager to portray someone who had made such significant contributions. As time progresses, we tend to forget our heroes, but they remain essential to our history,” he said.
Originally, the release of Emergency was postponed due to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. During this time, Ranaut herself contested for the BJP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, eventually winning the seat and becoming a first-time Member of Parliament. She expressed the hope that her journey would inspire more women to pursue careers in politics. “We are in a positive era, especially with the 33% reservation for women under the Women’s Reservation Bill. The next election will see a significant number of seats allocated for women, and I encourage more women to join this field,” she said.
When asked whether she will continue acting while pursuing her political career, Ranaut left the decision to fate and public opinion. “I have never explicitly declared a desire to be a leader. I met the criteria to be given a ticket, and it was the people’s choice for me to run in the elections. Similarly, if Emergency succeeds and people want to see more of me, I will continue in films. Nevertheless, if I feel more needed in politics and find success there, I will allow life to guide me. For now, I have no plans to prioritize one over the other,” she revealed.
In closing, Ranaut was asked if she would consider directing a feature with the three Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir. Responding to a frequently pondered dream in Hindi cinema, she said, “I would love to produce and direct a film featuring all three Khans. I want to showcase their immense talent in a significant, impactful narrative. Each of them possesses an artistic side that is often unexplored beyond a few films.” She wistfully added, “One actor I deeply regret not having the opportunity to direct is Irrfan Khan. He was one of my favorite Khans.”
