"Emergency" is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language historical biographical drama film directed by Kangana Ranaut, who also plays the lead role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film delves into the tumultuous period of the Indian Emergency (1975-1977), a 21-month span when civil liberties were suspended, and the country was under direct rule by Gandhi. The narrative aims to provide insight into the political and personal challenges faced by one of India's most controversial leaders during a critical juncture in the nation's history.

Development and Production

The inception of "Emergency" was announced by Kangana Ranaut in June 2021, marking her second directorial venture. She collaborated with screenwriter Ritesh Shah to craft the screenplay, while also taking on the responsibility of producing the film under her banner, Manikarnika Films, in association with Zee Studios. Principal photography commenced in July 2022 and concluded in January 2023. The film's music was composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar and Arko, with the background score provided by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara. Cinematography was handled by Tetsuo Nagata, and Rameshwar S. Bhagat took charge of editing.

Casting

Kangana Ranaut's portrayal of Indira Gandhi is central to the film, and her transformation into the former Prime Minister was achieved through meticulous makeup and prosthetics. The supporting cast includes:

• Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan

• Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• Mahima Chaudhry as Pupul Jayakar

• Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

• Satish Kaushik as Jagjivan Ram

• Darshan Pandya as Sanjay Gandhi

Each actor undertook significant research to authentically represent their real-life counterparts, aiming to provide depth and accuracy to the historical figures depicted.

Release and Distribution

"Emergency" faced several delays before its theatrical release. Initially slated for October-November 2023, it was postponed multiple times due to various challenges, including pending certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film eventually premiered on January 17, 2025. Following its theatrical run, "Emergency" became available for streaming on Netflix, with its release on the platform occurring ahead of the initially scheduled date, coinciding with the Holi festival on March 14, 2025. 

Critical Reception

Upon its release, "Emergency" received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics:

• Times of India: Rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, noting that while the intention to depict a significant historical period was evident, the execution was hindered by an overly dramatized approach and one-dimensional character portrayals.

• NDTV: Described the film as a "monumental muddle," criticizing it for superficial storytelling and lack of depth in character development.

• The Indian Express: Gave the film 1.5 out of 5 stars, commenting on its weak craftsmanship and the portrayal of historical events in a scattershot manner.

• Firstpost: Offered a more favorable view, praising Ranaut's performance and direction, and highlighting the efforts of the supporting cast in bringing historical figures to life.

Box Office Performance

"Emergency" struggled at the box office, earning approximately ₹2 crore on its opening day, aided by Cinema Lovers Day, which featured reduced ticket prices. The film's total worldwide gross was around ₹22 crore, falling short of its production budget of ₹60 crore, thus classifying it as a box-office flop. 

Controversies and Challenges

The film was not without controversy. The CBFC initially withheld certification, requesting modifications to certain scenes and demanding factual sources for some of the historical claims presented. Additionally, Sikh organizations, notably the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), accused the film of distorting historical events related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and defaming the Sikh community. These protests led to some theaters in Punjab opting not to screen the film. Internationally, Sikh groups in the United Kingdom organized demonstrations, disrupting screenings in cities like Birmingham and Wolverhampton during the opening weekend.

Financial Implications for Kangana Ranaut

The financial challenges faced during the production of "Emergency" were significant. Reports indicate that Kangana Ranaut sold her Mumbai bungalow to fund the film, underscoring her deep commitment to the project. Despite the film's underwhelming box office performance, the sale of digital streaming rights to Netflix for ₹80 crore helped mitigate some of the financial setbacks, allowing Ranaut to recover her investment. 

Conclusion

"Emergency" stands as a testament to Kangana Ranaut's ambition to bring a pivotal and controversial period of Indian history to the silver screen. Despite facing numerous challenges, including production delays, financial hurdles, and mixed critical reception, the film contributes to the ongoing discourse about the portrayal of historical events in cinema. It also highlights the complexities filmmakers encounter when depicting politically charged narratives, reflecting the delicate balance between artistic expression and historical accuracy.