Amid escalating controversies, the much-anticipated release of the biographical political drama “Emergency,” directed by acclaimed actor Kangana Ranaut, has faced another delay. This film, which marks Ranaut’s directorial debut, delves into a tumultuous period in Indian history and has been under intense scrutiny. The latest postponement is attributed to serious security concerns, with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) members allegedly receiving threats. Consequently, the new release date remains undisclosed.

Kangana Ranaut, who plays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the movie, took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to address the situation. In a heartfelt video message posted on Friday, she clarified the circulating rumors: “There are rumors suggesting that our film, Emergency, has been granted a censor certificate. This is false. Our film was initially cleared, but certification has been halted due to numerous death threats directed at Censor Board members. We face immense pressure not to depict critical historical events such as the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Bhindranwale’s role, and the Punjab riots. I am deeply troubled by this situation and apologize for the current state of affairs in our country.”

The controversy surrounding “Emergency” ignited a few weeks ago when its trailer was released. The trailer showcased Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, leader of the Khalistan movement, vowing to secure votes for Indira Gandhi’s political party in return for a separate Sikh state. This portrayal sparked outrage among various Sikh organizations. The Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal promptly issued a legal notice to the CBFC, urging them to halt the film’s release due to its sensitive depiction of Sikh characters and events. Additionally, the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) voiced strong objections.

In a related development, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Satyapal Jain informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the CBFC would take into account the sentiments of all communities involved, particularly the Sikh community. This statement was made during a hearing on a plea filed by residents of Mohali challenging the film’s certification.

Sources within the CBFC suggest that due to the sensitive nature of the issues portrayed in “Emergency,” the certification process may be prolonged. This delay could potentially push back the film’s release beyond its initially scheduled date of September 6. An anonymous government official clarified, “We have no involvement with the film’s release date; it was announced prior to the certification process.”

Adding to the mounting pressure, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently met with Sikh community leaders who expressed their concerns about the film. He assured them that he would consider imposing a ban on the film’s release in Telangana.

Featuring an ensemble cast including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman, and Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles, “Emergency” was originally slated for a November 2023 release. This date was later postponed to June 2024 and subsequently moved up to September 6. Despite repeated attempts, The Indian Express has not yet received an official statement from the film’s production team regarding these developments.

Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story and other significant Bollywood news. For comprehensive coverage of national and international headlines, visit The Indian Express.