Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency; has officially arrived in theatres today, after a delay of nearly six months due to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance process, and sparking a wave of reactions on social media as netizens praised Kangana’s powerful portrayal of Indira Gandhi. The film, which centres on the controversial Emergency period in India under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, portrays her as “India’s most iconic… and controversial leader.” The trailer highlights her famous declaration, “I am the cabinet,” setting the stage for the narrative’s focus on her authoritarian style of governance.
Kangana’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi
Kangana’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi has been the subject of much debate, particularly her mimicry of Gandhi’s voice. Some viewers found this aspect odd in the trailer, but others are hopeful it will seem more authentic in the full film. Her performance has led many to praise her for bringing a new dimension to the late Prime Minister, even as others question the accuracy of the depiction.
The cast of Emergency
Alongside Kangana, the film features an ensemble cast including Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi.
Netizens react to the movie
Since its release, netizens have been quick to share their thoughts on “Emergency.” Many have praised Kangana’s bold performance, with some even claiming “Kangana is Indira,” impressed by her dedication to the role. While reactions have been mixed, with some viewers focusing on the film’s political overtones and others pointing out areas for improvement, there is no denying the film has sparked important conversations about India’s political history. Here are some of the reviews:
On the positive side, many viewers on Twitter praised Emergency for its technical and historical accuracy. One user noted, “It’s so beautiful when the extraordinary effort you put in is appreciated by the audience & critics.” Fans also lauded Kangana’s performance, with one calling it “one of the best films in a long time” and declaring, “Kangana is Indira!” Producer Shaailesh Singh’s contribution was also highlighted, with fans congratulating the entire team for their efforts.
While many have praised Emergency, there are also plenty of critical voices online. Some Reddit users have expressed disappointment over Kangana’s portrayal, with one noting, “Her acting looks very bad in the trailer—why does the voice keep switching from her own to the shrilly one she made up?” Another user criticised her transformation into Indira Gandhi, saying, “Such a talented actor turned Indira Gandhi into a caricature,” questioning the intent behind her performance. However, others defended her acting, noting the quality of the prosthetic work by Oscar-winner David Malinowski and the cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata. Despite these positive aspects, some viewers claimed the theatres appeared empty, suggesting that the film’s reception might not be as strong as anticipated.
SGPC seeks ban on Emergency
The controversy surrounding Emergency continues as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to impose a ban on the film’s release in the state. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed concerns that the movie could hurt Sikh sentiments, particularly for its portrayal of the 1984 Sikh genocide and the attack on key Sikh shrines. Security has been increased outside cinemas in Amritsar, with SGPC members warning of stronger protests if the film is released. They criticised the censor board for approving the film despite previous objections, holding the Punjab government responsible for any potential disturbances.