Explained: Why Bombay High Court denied censor certificate, delaying Kangana Ranaut's Emergency release

The release of Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film Emergency has been delayed after the Bombay High Court declined a request to immediately direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant the movie its certification.?

The court’s decision means that the film will not be able to meet its scheduled release date of September 6, leaving fans and the film's team in uncertainty.?On September 3, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the producer of the film, approached the court, seeking a directive to the CBFC to issue the censor certificate.?

In their petition, the producers had claimed that the CBFC is withholding certification “illegally and arbitrarily,” even though, according to the petition, the certification was ready.? ?

The film, which is both directed by and stars Kangana Ranaut, has been mired in controversy, particularly facing objections from Sikh groups, including the Shiromani Akali Dal. These groups accuse the film of distorting historical facts and misrepresenting their community.

Calls for a ban and concerns from Sikh organisations

Several Sikh organisations, including those from Punjab, New Delhi, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, have been vocal in their opposition to Emergency. These groups argue that the movie presents a distorted version of historical facts and misrepresents the Sikh community. They have reached out to both the CBFC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, calling for the film to be banned from screening altogether.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), an influential body managing Sikh religious institutions, has sent a legal notice to the film’s producers. This notice claims that Emergency presents false information regarding Sikhs and historical events. Following the release of the movie's trailer last month, Sikh leaders, including those from the Akal Takht and SGPC, demanded an immediate halt to its release.

A report by PTI quoted the SGPC secretary as saying that they have approached both the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the CBFC to ban the film. The trailer, he said, contained scenes that were “anti-Sikh” and had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Gurcharan Singh Grewal, general secretary of SGPC, expressed his relief to ANI over the CBFC’s decision to halt the film’s release. "The matter pertains to not just Sikhs, but also concerns of harmony in the country," Grewal said.

What are the objections to the film?

Government sources have indicated that religious organizations have raised concerns regarding Emergency. These groups claim the movie contains sensitive content that could hurt religious sentiments. “There is some sensitive content in the movie,” one government source explained, adding that the Centre is carefully examining these concerns.

The controversy surrounding Emergency can also be traced back to earlier remarks made by Kangana Ranaut during the farmers' protests in India. The actress had claimed that a situation similar to Bangladesh could have unfolded if India’s leadership had not intervened.?

Emergency has been imposed on my film, says Kangana Ranaut as her latest project faces delay in certification
byu/bhodrolok inindia

She further alleged that “bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place” during the agitation, suggesting foreign forces such as China and the US were involved.?

These comments drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including the BJP, which distanced itself from her remarks, stating that she had no authority to comment on party policy. Her previous comments have added fuel to the fire surrounding the film, contributing to the growing calls for a ban.

Kangana Ranaut’s defense amid the ongoing controversy

Kangana Ranaut has been outspoken about the pressure she is facing in the wake of the controversy. According to her, there has been an attempt to suppress certain depictions in her film, particularly those involving the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the militant leader Bhindranwale, and the Punjab riots.?

“This raises the question - what can we actually show in the film? That the film blacks out all of a sudden?” she said, reflecting her frustration in a video posted on X.

The actress has also drawn comparisons between her film and content on streaming platforms, particularly Netflix. Referring to the row over the web series IC 814, she expressed her belief that OTT platforms often get away with displaying violence and nudity without much consequence or censorship.?

She criticized what she sees as double standards in the industry, stating, "As a nationalist, no OTT platform allows us to make films that revolve around the integrity and unity of Bharat. It seems censorship is only for some of us who don’t want the tukde of this nation and make films on historic facts."

Earlier, Kangana shared her disappointment in an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, saying, "Meri film pe hi Emergency lag gayi hai. Bahut hi nirashajanak ye sthiti hai. Main toh khair bahut hi zyada disappointed hu apne desh se, aur jo bhi haalaat hain (An Emergency has been imposed on my film too. It’s a very hopeless state. I’m quite disappointed by our country and whatever the circumstances are)."

She has also accused the CBFC of revoking the film’s certification after initially granting it. Despite the obstacles, Kangana remains determined to release an uncut version of Emergency. "I can’t show all of a sudden that Indira Gandhi died on her own at her home. I can’t show it like that," she added in Hindi.

What is Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ about?

Emergency, directed by and starring Kangana Ranaut, has found itself at the centre of controversy after Sikh organizations objected to its release. They accuse the movie of misrepresenting their community and altering historical facts. Ranaut, who is also a BJP MP, has pointed fingers at the CBFC for halting the film’s release, citing threats made to board members.

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The movie was initially planned for release last year before being postponed to June of this year. Another delay, due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, pushed the release to September 6. However, with the censor certificate still on hold, it remains unclear when the film will finally hit theatres.

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