Kangana Ranaut's Emergency delayed amid CBFC certification roadblock

Kangana Ranaut’s solo directorial debut, Emergency, has been delayed following the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) refusal to grant clearance. Originally scheduled for release on September 6, 2024, the film is now expected to be delayed by at least a week.

The film features Ranaut portraying former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and is based on the events that transpired during the 1975 Emergency—a pivotal period in Indian history. Anupam Kher also stars in the film, playing the role of politician Jayaprakash Narayan.

Kangana with Anupam Kher while shooting EmergencyInstagram

In a recent post on X, Ranaut expressed her frustration over the delay, suggesting that censorship seems to be applied selectively. She specifically mentioned the recent OTT release IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, implying that films like hers, which focus on historical facts, face greater scrutiny.

On August 30, she posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the film had initially passed certification but was halted due to external threats. According to Ranaut, there is pressure not to depict the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the Punjab riots, and other sensitive events. "I don't know what we will show to our audience. This is unbelievable," she said.

In a recent podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Ranaut stated her readiness to take legal action if necessary. "I have made this film with a lot of self-respect, which is why the CBFC can't point out any contentions. They have stalled my certificate, but I'm determined to release an uncut version of the film," she asserted.

Ranaut had been eagerly anticipating the film’s release and had previously shared a patriotic song from the film on her X account, calling it one of the movie’s most significant aspects.

In an interview with Fever FM, Ranaut emphasized that "connection is more important than inspiration." She also revealed that Emergency was initially scheduled for a November release last year but was postponed after she received an invitation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest in elections.