Just days before its release, Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency has found itself embroiled in controversy. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht have called for an immediate ban on the movie, accusing it of attempting to “character assassinate” Sikhs by portraying them in a negative light.
On Wednesday, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami held a press conference where he demanded an FIR against Ranaut and raised objections to the film. He pointed out that this is not the first time Sikh sentiments have been hurt by the misrepresentation of the community in cinema. Calling for a ban on Emergency, he criticized the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as “biased” and called for the inclusion of Sikh members on the censor board.
Meanwhile, Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, also condemned the film, alleging that it “deliberately misrepresented the character of Sikhs as separatists,” which he described as part of a larger conspiracy. He argued that the movie “disrespects” the Sikh community and accused Kangana of “deliberately character assassinating” Sikhs. He further claimed that the film attempts to malign the image of Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, who has been honored as a Qaumi Shaheed (community martyr) by the Akal Takht.
Singh also criticized the government for failing to take action against Kangana Ranaut, despite her repeated statements against Sikhs. He urged the authorities to prosecute the actress-turned-politician for “inciting religious sentiments” through her work on Emergency.
Kangana Ranaut first announced Emergency in 2021, later clarifying that while the film is a political drama, it is not a biopic of Indira Gandhi. In addition to starring in the lead role, Ranaut is also directing the film. The cast includes Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and Shreyas Talpade, among others. Shreyas Talpade will portray Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while Anupam Kher takes on the role of Jayaprakash Narayan. The late actor Satish Kaushik will also appear as former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram.
Emergency has faced multiple delays but is now set to hit theaters on September 6, 2024.
