Four days before the scheduled premiere of “Emergency,” actor Kangana Ranaut has accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of deliberately stalling the film’s certification to delay its release. Ranaut, who portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film, has stated that she will take legal action if the uncut version of her film is not approved.
“An emergency has been imposed on my film as well. It’s a deeply disheartening situation. I’m disappointed with the current state of affairs in our country… How long will we continue to live in fear? I’ve created this film with great self-respect, which is why the CBFC has no grounds for objection. They’ve withheld my certificate, but I’m determined to release an uncut version of the film. I will take this fight to court,” she said during an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on his podcast.
On Monday, Ranaut expressed her frustration, calling it “hugely demotivating and unjust” that censorship is being applied exclusively to her film “Emergency,” which has yet to receive certification from the CBFC, jeopardising its September 6 release.
CBFC delays threaten ‘Emergency’ release as court reviews petition
A source revealed that the film is unlikely to be released on Friday because the certification from the CBFC is still pending.
“Even though the CBFC has listed a U/A certificate on their website, the filmmakers have not yet received the official document. New cuts are being demanded daily, likely due to external pressure. Kangana is fighting to preserve the film’s integrity,” the source told PTI.
Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court is set to hear a petition from a Sikh organisation on Monday, seeking to block the release of “Emergency.”
Ranaut denies censor clearance; SAD files legal notice against film
Last week, Ranaut, who also serves as the film’s director, writer, and co-producer, denied rumours that the film had been cleared by the censor board, insisting that it remains stuck in the approval process. She also mentioned facing pressure not to depict the assassination of the former prime minister by her security guards.
On Friday, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) sent a legal notice to the CBFC, seeking to halt the film’s release, claiming that it could “incite communal tensions” and “spread misinformation.” The party alleged that the trailer presented “inaccurate historical facts that not only misrepresent the Sikh community but also promote hatred and social discord.”
With inputs from PTI