Kangana Ranaut has opened up about the challenges surrounding the release of her directorial debut Emergency, slated to hit cinemas on January 17. In a candid interview, the actress-turned-director admitted to several “wrong choices” she made during the production of the film, including her decision to direct the movie and choose a theatrical release over streaming.
Talking about the film’s long delay, Kangana expressed her concerns over the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) holding back the certification for months. “I felt it was a mistake to release it in theatres. I thought I could have gotten a better deal on OTT, avoiding censorship issues and not having my film scrutinized,” she shared. The film faced challenges with the CBFC, which often requires edits before films can be released in India.
Kangana also discussed the pressures she faced as a director, acknowledging that she had underestimated the hurdles in making a film about the controversial period of Indian history, specifically the Emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “I thought I would be able to get away with making a film on such sensitive topics, but I was wrong,” she confessed.
The movie portrays the final years of Indira Gandhi’s tenure, including the imposition of Emergency and Operation Bluestar. Kangana portrays the former prime minister, with an ensemble cast including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, and Mahima Chaudhry in key roles.
Despite the challenges, Emergency is set to release in cinemas, and Kangana hopes audiences will engage with the film’s portrayal of a turbulent chapter in India’s history.
