Zee Entertainment Enterprises has turned to the Bombay High Court, seeking a resolution to the ongoing delay in the release of its co-produced movie ‘Emergency,’ directed by and starring Kangana Ranaut. The film, which was originally scheduled for release on September 6, has been sink in controversy, primarily due to objections raised by Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal. These groups have accused the movie of misrepresenting the Sikh community and distorting historical facts, leading to its indefinite postponement.
The production house has alleged that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is ‘arbitrarily and illegally’ withholding the censor certificate for ‘Emergency.’ According to the petition filed in the high court, the censor board has completed the certification process but is yet to issue the certificate. This prompted Zee Entertainment to seek an urgent hearing, which was mentioned before a division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla. The matter is expected to be heard later in the day.
Ranaut Fights Back Against ‘Emergency’ Delays
Kangana Ranaut, who plays the lead role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has openly expressed her frustration over the delay. On Tuesday, she stated that “Emergency has been imposed on her movie as well,” drawing parallels between the current situation and the historical events depicted in her film. Ranaut, a BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, criticized the circumstances surrounding the delay, calling them ‘a very hopeless state.’
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She further argued that the events portrayed in her film have already been documented in other movies, such as Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2017 political thriller ‘Indu Sarkar’ and Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Sam Bahadur’ from last year. Despite this, she believes that her film is being unfairly targeted. ‘We’ll keep telling those ridiculous stories otherwise. We’ll get scared by someone today, someone else tomorrow. People will keep scaring us because we get scared so easily,’ she said. Determined to fight back, Ranaut asserted that she would seek the court’s intervention to release an uncut version of the film.
Historical Controversy Halts ‘Emergency’ Certification
The controversy surrounding ‘Emergency’ began shortly after the release of its trailer, which included a portrayal of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a controversial figure in the Khalistan movement. This depiction drew sharp reactions from Sikh organizations like the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal also initiated legal action, further complicating the film’s release.
Ranaut has taken to social media to voice her concerns, claiming that the certification process was halted due to threats received by CBFC members. She alleged that there was pressure not to depict certain historical events and figures, particularly the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the Punjab riots. These issues, she believes, are at the heart of the ongoing delay.
As Zee Entertainment awaits the court’s decision, the controversy surrounding ‘Emergency’ continues to intensify. The film’s fate now hangs in the balance, with many eagerly watching to see how the legal proceedings unfold and whether the movie will eventually see the light of day.
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