26 september 2024 : 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, if the producers made certain recommended cuts.
This film, centered on the 1975 Emergency declared by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, features Ranaut in the role of Gandhi herself. The movie was originally set for release on September 6, but its launch was halted due to disputes with the censor board regarding certification.
Kangana Ranaut, who directed and co-produced the film while also starring as Indira Gandhi, accused the CBFC of delaying certification to postpone the film’s release. Several Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, have raised objections, claiming the film misrepresents the community and contains historical inaccuracies.
Last week, the court criticized the CBFC for its failure to reach a decision on the certification for Emergency, instructing the board to finalize its decision by September 25. Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the movie’s co-producer, sought the court’s intervention to compel the CBFC to issue the certificate.
On Thursday, the bench inquired whether the CBFC had “good news” regarding the film. Counsel Abhinav Chandrachud stated that the board’s revising committee had made its decision, suggesting certain cuts be made before the certificate could be issued and the film released. Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, representing Zee Entertainment, requested time to determine whether the proposed cuts would be acceptable. The bench has scheduled a further hearing for September 30.
Last week, Zee Entertainment claimed that the certificate was being withheld for political reasons related to the upcoming elections in Haryana, prompting the bench to question why the ruling party would act against Ranaut, a BJP MP.
