Kangana Ranaut’s latest directorial venture, Emergency, has faced delays in its release, originally set for September 6. The postponement was caused by pending certification from the censor board and opposition from several Sikh organizations. These groups argue that the film portrays the Sikh community in a negative light, particularly in its depiction of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Kangana addressed the objections raised against her film. She asserted that only a minority have taken issue with Emergency, stating that Bhindranwale, whom some regard as a saint or revolutionary, was a terrorist in her view. “He was not a saint but a terrorist. My film is based on facts and supervised by historians. It has nothing wrong in it,” she said, adding that previous governments had also classified Khalistanis as terrorists.
Kangana revealed that the delay in releasing Emergency has caused her significant financial loss, as the film was postponed just four days before its scheduled release. She also mentioned receiving threats over the film’s portrayal of Bhindranwale. Despite these challenges, Kangana remains firm in her stance and believes that most people in Punjab do not see Bhindranwale as a saint.
Emergency features a cast that includes Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and Shreyas Talpade. Kangana plays the lead role, while Talpade portrays Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Kher takes on the role of Jayaprakash Narayan. The late actor Satish Kaushik will be seen as Jagjivan Ram, the former Deputy Prime Minister of India.
Despite receiving certification from the censor board, Emergency has faced calls for a boycott and ban. Sikh groups, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht, claim that the film misrepresents the Sikh community, accusing it of character assassination. These organizations have demanded an immediate ban on its release.
