Kangana Ranaut has officially announced the release date for her much-anticipated political drama Emergency, which will now hit theatres on 17 January, 2025. The update follows a series of delays, with the film initially slated for a September release before encountering issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which led to its postponement.
In a post shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) page, the actor-filmmaker revealed:
“17th January 2025 – The epic saga of the nation’s most powerful woman and the moment that altered India’s destiny. Emergency – Unveils Only in cinemas on 17.01.2025!”
Ranaut, who plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film, also wrote, directed, and co-produced Emergency. The film focuses on the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977, when Indira Gandhi imposed a state of emergency in India, exploring the political and social upheaval during that time.
Despite multiple delays, the film’s release has been highly anticipated, though it has been mired in controversy. Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, have accused the film of misrepresenting the community and getting historical facts wrong. Ranaut had previously accused the CBFC of deliberately stalling the certification process, which she said was “hugely demotivating.”
The film also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman, and the late Satish Kaushik.
Reactions on X have been mixed, “another disaster” one user commented.
Another user stated: “Let’s wait and see what she has done. I hope it’s based on facts. My father lived through the Emergency and tells me how horrible it was – people were house arrested, there was no media freedom, and common people suffered too.”
“Excited!” exclaimed another.
Nevertheless, with its release on the horizon, Emergency will likely continue to stir debate, but it is sure to attract significant attention given its subject matter and the controversies surrounding it.
