As per reliable inputs from certain news agencies, Actor turned Member of Parliament, Kangana Ranaut’s highly anticipated directorial debut Emergency finally arrived in theatres today, January 17. Ahead of the big release, the film faced strong opposition from the Sikh community, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) accusing the film of defaming Sikh history and characters.
This has sparked protests in Amritsar, Punjab, demanding that the film should be banned in the state. To maintain law and order amidst the protests, police has been deployed outside PVR Suraj Chanda Tara Cinema in Amritsar.
Police officers are stationed at the cinema hall to ensure that no disruptions occur during the release, as tensions rise over the film’s content. Amritsar’s SHO, Baljinder Singh Aulakh, stated that security was heightened after the SGPC urged the cinema hall to stop the screening of the movie.
The Plot of Emergency
As per the story of the film, actor Kangana Ranaut transformed herself into late Prime Minister of India’s Indira Gandhi to “Expose Independent India’s Darkest Chapter”. However, all the characters have been beautifully and artistically delineated with.
With Emergency, Kangana Ranaut takes up the dual responsibility of both director and actor to depict the highs and lows of the most powerful woman in Indian political history – former Prime Minister India Gandhi.
While Kangana delivers a stand-out performance that will be regarded as one of the finest in Indian cinema, she also impresses with her directorial skills, demonstrating remarkable clarity as a storyteller.
“Emergency” chronicles the life of Indira Gandhi, beginning with her formative years, through the milestones of her political career, and finally to her untimely demise. It touches upon almost every major event in the former Prime Minister’s political career, including motivations and the consequences behind imposing Emergency between 1975 and 1977.
The storyline also sheds light on the role of her son Sanjay Gandhi, whose decisions such as the forced sterilization campaign, played a significant role in the government’s fall from grace.
The film doesn’t shy away from portraying Indira Gandhi’s downfall. After the Emergency is lifted, the narrative shifts to her redemption arc, showcasing how she regained the trust of the people and returned to power.
Emergency has plenty of elements to hold viewers’s attention for its 2-hour-and-26-minute runtime. Aside from all the politics, the film also gives a peek into the personal life of Indira Gandhi, offering a window into her struggles as a leader and as an individual.
The scenes between Kangana’s Indira Gandhi and Anupam Kher’s Jayprakash Narayan showcase the humane side of the politicians. Her interactions with Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Bajpayee add seriousness.
Despite being titled ‘Emergency’, the film doesn’t dig deep enough into the ground realities of that period. It skims over the hardships faced by ordinary citizens during the Emergency. Instead, the film leans heavily toward Sanjay Gandhi’s role, which might feel like a deviation from the core subject for some viewers.
Characters like Jayprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while beautifully performed, remain unutilized. Their presence adds value to the story, but their arcs could have been developed further to provide more context and depth.
Kangana’s transformation into Indira Gandhi is extraordinary. She captures every aspect of the late Prime Minister’s personality, from mannerisms to her body language to her voice. While Kangana has always been an outstanding performer, with ‘Emergency’, she has outdone herself.
Anupam Kher as Jayprakash Narayan brings a quiet intensity to his role, reminding us once again why he’s considered a legend in Indian cinema. Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee brings dignity and authenticity to the role, making his screen time memorable. Vishak Nair, on the other hand, steals the spotlight as Sanjay Gandhi. His portrayal of the controversial leader is fiery, complex, and compelling, leaving viewers with strong feelings about the character.
Directing a film about such a polarizing and complex subject is no easy task, but Kangana Ranaut approaches it with immense conviction. She has a clear vision of what she wants to convey, focusing on how the major political events impacted Indira Gandhi on a personal level.
What truly elevates the film is its top-notch production quality, a big plus point for a historical political drama. It helps with the world-building and transporting viewers into it. Overall, with all its plus and minuses, Emergency keeps viewer invested. The film’s real triumph lies in its performances, especially Kangana Ranaut’s exceptional portrayal of the Iron Lady.
SGPC Writes to Punjab’s Chief Minister
Meanwhile, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has written a letter to Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, accusing the film of being politically motivated with the aim of harming the reputation of the Sikh community. The SGPC claims that the portrayal of Sikh characters, especially the controversial figure of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, is misleading and historically inaccurate. They allege that the film distorts historical facts.
Further action was taken when SGPC sent a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, requesting that the film’s release be stopped in the state. The committee expressed deep concern about how the film might influence public perception of Sikhs and their history.
Meanwhile, a cinema hall guard in Amritsar confirmed that Emergency would not be shown at their location. She said, “I am not sure about the reasons, but the screening of this film (Emergency) will not take place here (at the cinema hall).”
Thus, Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency released on January 17, facing protests from the Sikh community. The SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee) claims the film misrepresents Sikh history and characters, demanding a ban. Police were deployed in Amritsar to maintain order, and some cinemas halted screenings.
Coming back to film ‘Emergency’, Kangana Ranaut film revolves around the Emergency, that was imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for 21 months from 1975 to 1977, and its aftermath.
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