CBFC says Kangana Ranaut's Emergency can be Released Recommended Cuts

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) informed the Bombay High Court that it would grant a certificate for BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's film, ‘Emergency’, provided that certain recommended cuts are made. The film, which depicts the 1975 Emergency period under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has faced several delays in its release, originally scheduled for September 6.

The bench inquired if there was "good news" from the CBFC. The board's counsel reported that the revising committee had recommended specific cuts before the film could be certified for release. Zee Entertainment's senior counsel requested additional time to consider the proposed changes.

Kangana Ranaut, who directed, co-produced, and stars as Indira Gandhi, has accused the CBFC of intentionally stalling the certification process to postpone the film's release. The movie has sparked controversy, particularly among Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, who allege that it misrepresents their community and contains historical inaccuracies.

During a recent court hearing, the judges criticized the CBFC for not reaching a decision on the certification. They emphasized that while the board has its reservations, it should not dictate what affects public order. Justice BP Colabawalla pointed out that ‘Emergency’ is not a documentary, questioning whether the public would take everything in a film at face value and advocating for creative freedom. CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud explained that some scenes involve a controversial figure engaging with political parties, raising concerns about their factual accuracy.

Previously, the matter was brought before the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to a public interest litigation filed by Sikh organizations, but that court found the CBFC had yet to issue a certificate for the film.

Following a court directive, the CBFC was expected to make a final decision by September 25. Zee Entertainment Enterprises, one of the co-producers, sought the court's intervention to expedite the certificate issuance.

The bench scheduled further discussions for September 30. Zee Entertainment has previously suggested that political motivations, possibly linked to the upcoming elections in Haryana, might be behind the delay in certification.

Kangana Ranaut has claimed financial hardship due to the delayed release. She stated that she had to consider selling personal property to mitigate her losses from the postponed screening. ‘Emergency’ features an ensemble cast, including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Mahima Chaudhry, and Milind Soman.​