‘Emergency’ is an eagerly awaited Indian drama film that explores an intriguing part of history. Since its announcement, the film has attracted a lot of attention due to its controversial themes and has faced several delays before its release.
The movie was originally set to hit the screens in June 2024 but was delayed due to Lok Sabha elections. It subsequently missed its September 6 release after failing to secure a censor certificate, as Sikh groups argued that the film inaccurately represented events and misinterpreted facts.
It’s release date (January 17) was decided after the film finally received a censor certificate with multiple cuts.
Directed and co-produced by the talented Kangana Ranaut, this biographical drama is based on a screenplay by Ritesh Shah.
Storyline
The film begins by giving a background of Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi and her family, the Nehrus. We witness young Indira as she listens to tales from her grandfather, Shri Motilal Nehru, who uses the famous Indian epic, the Mahabharata, to illustrate lessons about leadership and governance.
The film highlights important events that occurred after India gained independence on August 15, 1947. It covers several significant moments, such as the Assam struggle in 1962, the conflict between India and China, the deaths of key leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri in the 1960s, and the war between India and Pakistan in 1971. The film also discusses agreements made between countries, like the India Cooperation Treaty and the Shimla Agreement in 1972, as well as the friendship treaty with the Soviet Union, now known as Russia.
Performances
The film boasts a fantastic cast, including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Milind Soman, and the late Satish Kaushik, all of whom play pivotal roles that are sure to captivate audiences.
Kangana Ranaut makes a remarkable return. She delivers an outstanding performance as Smt. Indira Gandhi. She manages to immerse herself so fully in the role that it feels as if she were embodying the former Prime Minister rather than simply acting. The makeup was spot-on, perfectly capturing Indira Gandhi’s likeness. Kangana’s dialogue delivery, along with her adaptation of Mrs Gandhi’s unique style of speaking and walking, was truly impressive.
Vishak Nair delivers an outstanding performance as Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Smt. Indira Gandhi. Despite the negative aspects of his character, he was very convincing in his role.
Anupam Kher took on the role of the Indian politician Jayaprakash Narayan and executed it brilliantly. His performance was filled with deep emotion and featured impeccable dialogue delivery.
Positives Of The Film
The screenplay, written by Kangana Ranaut, is based on real events and takes an unbiased approach. The film stays neutral and avoids any political affiliations that might cause controversy. Additionally, the action sequences are well done, especially in how they show wartime scenarios.
Emergency includes a strong background score that keeps the audience engaged throughout the scenes. The music enhances the story and fits well without becoming boring or out of place. The songs played at key moments match the storyline and reflect the emotions in each act, helping viewers stay immersed.
Negatives Of The Film
The scenes in the movie depicting the involvement of the Sikh community might stir up controversy. It seemed like the director was in a rush, leading to improper representation, which could result in misunderstandings and heightened tension between different religious groups.
Some war scenes were very violent and insensitive, making it difficult for children to watch.
Overall Feedback
The film is a well-made project and is a must-watch. It presents real facts and true events without any negativity or manipulation. The story is told honestly, providing viewers with a clear understanding of what happened during that tumultuous time in history. It vividly portrays how the country felt like an open jail during the state of emergency.
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