FILM · 2025 · INDIA
Emergency
23 archived facts 2 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (23)
- #001
Kangana Ranaut wore a prosthetic nose to strengthen her portrayal of the former Prime Minister.
- #002
Kangana Ranaut went to great lengths to imitate Indira Gandhi's walk, vocal modulation and subtle muscle movements during normal speech. A promotional film released before the film's official release was widely praised for her commitment to embodying the former Prime Minister's persona.
- #003
This is Kangana Ranaut's first directorial attempt. She had previously co-directed Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2018).
- #004
In various interviews, Kangana Ranaut explained that what drew her to the former Prime Minister's life was its tragedy, which largely parallels Shakespearean tragedy.
- #005
Vishak Nair, who plays Sanjay Gandhi, reflected on his experience working with Kangana Ranaut, saying: "I felt as if Indira Gandhi was directing us. As we learned more about her filmmaking skills, my admiration for Kangana grew. Directing, producing and acting in a film is not an easy job, but she does it like a true professional."
- #006
Historian Makkhan Lal, appointed by the CBFC as a subject expert for Emergency, defended the film's historical accuracy in an interview with "India Today." Lal stressed that the film is based on facts and does not portray Indira Gandhi negatively, saying, "The makers are quite sympathetic to the subject depicted. Although every political leader has flaws, the film does not show the negative aspects of Indira Gandhi's character."
- #007
Following the controversies surrounding the film, the CBFC formed an expert panel to propose changes and demanded that the film include a disclaimer stating that it is strictly inspired by real events rather than being factual. The board sought historical evidence for scenes such as Nehru's alleged statement about China cutting off Assam, and recommended removing dialogue implying a deal between Bhindranwale and Sanjay Gandhi and questioning its veracity. References to Bhindranwale as a "saint" and the depiction of violence by Sikhs against non-Sikhs were also objected to. They further objected to a speech mentioning that Operation Bluestar coincided with 'Arjun Divas', a term not recognized by the Sikh faith. The board called on the makers to verify the accuracy of every scene, suggesting a disclaimer for real-life shootings. As producer-director Kangana Ranaut announced on social media, the film was resubmitted to the censor board after these revisions and passed with a certificate.
- #008
Indira's conversation with Krishnamurti appears in her biography written by Pupul Jayakar as follows: "She described her meeting with Krishnamurti in 1976. 'I sobbed and could not hold back my tears. I have not cried like that for years.' She described what happened at the second meeting. She had told Krishnamurti about the events in India over the past year. She had told him, 'I am riding a tiger.' 'I do not care if the tiger kills me, but I do not know how to get off its back.'".
- #009
Kangana Ranaut received death threats to stop the film's release or to prevent the cinematic depiction of Indira Gandhi's assassination by Khalistani separatists from being shown.
- #010
In an interview, Kangana Ranaut said she had been closely interested in Indian politics, diplomacy and how the country's constitution developed long before she became a politician. What ignited her desire to make a film about Emergency was a line in the biography written by Pupul Jayakar, a close friend of Indira Gandhi and a cultural activist, that "deeply affected" Ranaut. Ranaut said, "Her guru, friend and guide Jiddu Krishnamurti asked her to put an end to it. And she said something very interesting: 'I feel as if I am riding this wild, cruel beast that I initially began to enjoy riding, but now I do not think I can get rid of it.'".
- #011
This marks the second time Kangana Ranaut has portrayed a female politician. She had previously played Jayalalithaa in Thalaivii (2021) and received great acclaim for her performance.
- #012
It was released on 17 January 2025 alongside Azaad.
- #013
The film was banned in Bangladesh due to its distorted historical narrative regarding the Liberation War and the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, set against the backdrop of tense relations between India and Bangladesh in 2024.
- #014
Kangana Ranaut, who plays the lead character of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was elected as a member of the Indian parliament from the Bhartiya Janata Party representing Mandi in her home state of Himachal Pradesh in the 2024 Indian General Elections.
- #015
The film covered more of Indira Gandhi's life story and made the Emergency period a part of it.
- #016
The Sikh community protested their portrayal in the film and demanded its ban. Residents of Mohali, meanwhile, wanted the film to be shown before the CBFC issued a certificate.
- #017
The first solo directorial effort was by Kangana Ranaut. Her first directorial attempt, Manikarnika, had Krish Jagarlamudi as co-director. She chose to leave this film while shooting for NTR (2019).
- #018
The film was scheduled for release in November 2023 but was postponed by a year and a half due to problems arising from censorship.
- #019
Emergency was announced by Kangana Ranaut on social media in June 2021. It faced a delay of three and a half years due to numerous censorship issues.
- #020
The film was confirmed for release in June 2024, but it was postponed because of the Lok Sabha elections.
- #021
Sanjay Gurbaxani, who played Rajiv Gandhi in Madras Cafe (2013), plays his grandfather Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in this film.
- #022
A. R. Rahman refused to compose the music, arguing that the film was too controversial.
- #023
This is Satish Kaushik's last film. He had completed the film before his death on 9 March 2023.
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