“Emergency,” directed by and starring Kangana Ranaut, is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama that delves into the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, focusing on the contentious period of the Indian Emergency from 1975 to 1977. The film aspires to provide a comprehensive portrayal of Gandhi’s political journey, but it grapples with challenges in narrative coherence and depth.
Plot Overview
The narrative embarks with a young Indira, portrayed with a prosthetic nose, experiencing a tumultuous childhood under the care of a stern aunt. Determined to distinguish herself from her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, she vows to chart her own path. The film swiftly transitions through significant milestones: her strained marriage, ascent within the Congress party, tenure as Prime Minister, the 1971 war against Pakistan, the declaration of the Emergency, and culminating in her assassination in 1984. This rapid progression, while ambitious, often sacrifices narrative depth for breadth.
Performances
Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi is a focal point of the film. She adeptly captures the former Prime Minister’s commanding presence, nervous energy, and moments of vulnerability. However, critiques have noted inconsistencies in her accent and body language, which occasionally detract from the authenticity of the portrayal. Supporting performances by Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Milind Soman as Sam Manekshaw add depth, though their character arcs are limited by the screenplay’s constraints.
Direction and Screenplay
As a director, Ranaut exhibits a clear vision but struggles with balancing historical accuracy and narrative engagement. The screenplay, co-written with Ritesh Shah, attempts to delve into Gandhi’s psyche but often oscillates between vilification and glorification, resulting in a muddled character study. The film’s pacing is uneven, with certain events receiving cursory treatment while others are overly dramatized.
Technical Aspects
Visually, “Emergency” benefits from the expertise of cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata, who effectively captures the era’s ambiance and the underlying tension of the period. The musical score, while occasionally intrusive, adds a lyrical dimension to the narrative. However, the inclusion of songs where historical figures break into musical numbers, such as in parliamentary settings or during moments of crisis, has been criticized as incongruous and detracting from the film’s gravitas.
Critical Reception
The film has elicited a spectrum of responses from critics. Dhaval Roy of the Times of India awarded it 2.5 out of 5 stars, stating, “Emergency is hindered by its overly dramatized approach and one-dimensional portrayals. The lack of narrative fluidity and context undermines the attempt to narrate an important chapter in Indian history.” Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV was more critical, giving it 1.5 out of 5 stars and describing it as a “monumental muddle” that exemplifies how not to craft a biographical drama. Conversely, Deven Sharma of Filmfare offered a more favorable view, rating it 3 out of 5 and noting, “The film is well-directed by Kangana Ranaut, who, thanks to great makeup and prosthetics, looks exactly like Indira Gandhi in the first frame but later starts looking like herself.”
Controversies
“Emergency” has not been without its share of controversies. The film faced significant backlash from Sikh organizations, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which accused it of distorting historical events related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and defaming the Sikh community. This led to protests and disruptions of screenings in various regions, including the United Kingdom, where Sikh groups organized demonstrations, resulting in canceled showings in cities such as Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Box Office Performance
Financially, the film underperformed. It earned ₹2 crore on its opening day, aided by Cinema Lovers Day, which offered tickets at reduced prices. Over the opening weekend, it garnered a total of ₹8.7 crore. As of February 8, 2025, “Emergency” has grossed ₹12 crore in India, with an additional ₹3 crore overseas, culminating in a worldwide total of ₹15 crore, rendering it a box-office disappointment.
Conclusion
“Emergency” endeavors to shed light on a pivotal and controversial period in India’s history through the lens of one of its most enigmatic leaders. While Kangana Ranaut’s performance as Indira Gandhi is commendable, the film’s ambitious scope is undermined by its uneven narrative and directorial choices. For viewers seeking a nuanced and in-depth exploration of the Emergency era, this film may fall short of expectations.
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