New Delhi: Renowned Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, acclaimed for her roles in movies like ‘Krrish 3’ and ‘Manikarnika’, now finds herself in the throes of a heated controversy over her upcoming film ‘Emergency’. The political drama, which prominently features former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the notorious political chaos of 1975, has been accused of alienating and offending Sikh sentiments.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht have voiced their staunch opposition to the film, calling for an immediate halt to its release. According to these prominent Sikh organizations, the film deliberately sets out to undermine the Sikh community, with allegations claiming that it portrays them in a derogatory light, amounting to what they termed as ‘character assassination’.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami took to the media in a press conference on Wednesday, where he lambasted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for its perceived bias. Dhami insisted on the incorporation of Sikh representatives within the censor board to ensure unbiased judgment, specifically in scenarios that involve Sikh history and cultural sentiments. He emphasized that this instance is part of a recurring issue where the Sikh community’s portrayal in cinema is misrepresented, leading to a perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, also denounced ‘Emergency’ and accused it of showing blatant disrespect toward the Sikh community. Gyani Raghbir Singh particularly pointed out the depiction of Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, presented in the film in a manner that contradicts the reverence he holds as a martyr in the eyes of the Akal Takht. He further criticized the government for its inertia in addressing this issue, urging the authorities to take prompt action against the film and Ranaut for inciting religious sentiments.
Kangana Ranaut, who initially announced ‘Emergency’ in 2021, has often clarified that the movie is a political drama rather than a straightforward biopic on Indira Gandhi. Aside from starring in the film, Ranaut has also taken on the responsibility of directing it. The film features a star-studded cast, including Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and Shreyas Talpade. In their respective roles, Talpade plays Atal Bihari Vajpayee while Kher portrays Jayaprakash Narayan. The late Satish Kaushik will also be seen posthumously as Former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram.
The release of ‘Emergency’, initially set for an earlier date, has been rescheduled multiple times. It is now slated to hit theaters on September 6, 2024.
. However, this delay hasn’t pacified the growing outrage, with detractors calling for severe actions to be taken before the film’s release.
SGPC Chief Harjinder Singh Dhami’s statements have significantly echoed within the Sikh community. He doubled down on the alleged biases of the CBFC, stating that including Sikh members is essential to achieving a censor board that fairly represents all social segments. This move, he argues, would help resolve grievances that consistently arise due to misrepresentation of Sikhs in Indian cinema.
Similarly resonant were the words of Gyani Raghbir Singh, who asserted that the film ‘Emergency’ intentionally offends the Sikh faith. He accentuated that Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale’s depiction as a controversial figure demeans his status as a martyr for many followers. Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the government for seemingly siding with Kangana Ranaut by not taking immediate punitive measures against her.
Despite is controversy, Kangana Ranaut remains firm about her vision for ‘Emergency.’ She argues that the film is a nuanced political drama that aims to present a neutral narrative around the period of the Emergency in 1975. Yet, this clarification hasn’t stymied the uproar. The veteran cast involved in the movie like Anupam Kher and Milind Soman haven’t publicly commented on the ongoing issue, focusing only on their roles within the film.
This isn’t the first time cinema has found itself at odds with religious sentiments. Past movies have faced backlash and even bans due to perceived offenses towards various communities. According to legal experts, the call for an FIR could either lead to the film being barred from release or cause significant delays, affecting its potential reception and box office predictions.
As the scheduled release date approaches, the controversy surrounding ‘Emergency’ continues to brew. The film’s future hangs in the balance, dependent on judicial rulings and any potential governmental intervention. Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut remains undeterred, committed to her narrative vision, albeit amidst growing opposition.
