Emergency Movie is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language historical biographical drama directed and co-produced by Kangana Ranaut. The film, based on the Indian Emergency (1975-1977), stars Ranaut as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. With a screenplay by Ritesh Shah and a story written by Ranaut, the film attempts to capture one of India’s most controversial political periods. Despite its ambitious premise, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews and failed to perform well at the box office.
Story and Plot Summary : Emergency Movie
The film chronicles the rise and fall of Indira Gandhi, focusing on her role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the subsequent declaration of Emergency in 1975. Initially, she is portrayed as a leader striving for national unity and strength. However, as she consolidates power, she becomes increasingly authoritarian.
The narrative highlights several key moments, including:
- Her rise in the Congress party despite initial opposition.
- Her success in the 1971 war, earning her widespread support.
- The Allahabad High Court’s ruling that forces her resignation.
- Her decision to impose Emergency, leading to widespread human rights violations.
- Her realization of the damage caused by her policies.
- Her return to power following public support, despite opposition from the Janata Party.
- The assassination of her son, Sanjay Gandhi, and its impact on her.
- The rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Operation Blue Star.
- Her assassination by her own Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984.
The film ends with a speech where Indira Gandhi claims her duty was always to serve India, not rule it.
Cast and Performances : Emergency Movie
The film boasts a star-studded cast, with Kangana Ranaut in the lead role. Other significant performances include:
- Anupam Kher – Plays a key political figure.
- Shreyas Talpade – Portrays Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Mahima Chaudhry – Plays a journalist covering the events.
- Milind Soman – As Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
- Satish Kaushik – In a crucial political role.
- Darshan Pandya – As Sanjay Gandhi, Indira’s son.
Ranaut’s performance received praise for its intensity, but many critics felt that her portrayal lacked the depth required to fully capture Indira Gandhi’s complexity.
Music and Soundtrack : Emergency Movie
The film’s soundtrack, composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and Arko, includes five songs. The lyrics, penned by Manoj Muntashir, complement the film’s political themes. Notable tracks include:
- “Singhasan Khali Karo” – A powerful political anthem.
- “Ae Meri Jaan” – A soulful track by Hariharan.
- “Shankhnaad Kar” – A war cry-themed song.
- “Beqarariyaan” – A melancholic number.
- “Sarkar Ko Salaam Hai” – A song reflecting Indira Gandhi’s political journey.
The film’s background score, composed by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara, effectively enhances the dramatic sequences.
Production and Delays
Principal photography for Emergency began in July 2022 and concluded in January 2023. The film faced multiple delays:
- Originally slated for release in October–November 2023, it was pushed to 14 June 2024.
- The Lok Sabha elections further postponed its release to 6 September 2024.
- The CBFC initially denied certification, leading to further postponements.
- The film was finally released on 17 January 2025 after clearing censorship hurdles.
The delays, coupled with political controversies, added to the film’s hype but ultimately did not translate into box-office success.
Controversies and Bans
CBFC Modifications
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded changes to certain scenes, requiring the filmmakers to provide factual sources for the film’s historical claims.
Ban in Bangladesh
The film was banned in Bangladesh due to ongoing political tensions with India. Officials stated that the ban was not necessarily due to the film’s content but rather diplomatic sensitivities.
Political Backlash in India
Many political groups, especially those associated with the Congress party, criticized the film for allegedly misrepresenting historical events.
Critical Reception
Mixed-to-Negative Reviews
Despite its grand ambitions, Emergency received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Common criticisms included:
- Historical inaccuracies – Some historians and political analysts felt that the film distorted facts to fit a specific narrative.
- Over-dramatization – Many scenes were accused of being overly theatrical.
- Weak character development – The film failed to capture the nuanced personality of Indira Gandhi.
However, some praised:
- The cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata, which effectively portrayed the 1970s and 1980s.
- The background score, which added intensity to key moments.
- Ranaut’s transformation into Indira Gandhi, even if the performance itself was debated.
Box Office Performance
With a budget of ₹60 crore, the film only managed to collect ₹21.75–22 crore, making it a box-office flop. Despite strong pre-release buzz, negative word-of-mouth hurt its commercial performance.
Home Media and Streaming
Despite its theatrical failure, Emergency found a second life on Netflix, where it started streaming from 17 March 2025. The digital release allowed a wider audience to view the film, leading to renewed discussions about its content and accuracy.
Conclusion: A Bold Attempt but a Missed Opportunity
Emergency had the potential to be a gripping political drama but ultimately failed to deliver a balanced portrayal of history. Kangana Ranaut’s vision was ambitious, but the execution fell short due to excessive dramatization and weak storytelling.
While the film serves as an introduction to a crucial period in Indian history, viewers looking for a balanced, factual representation of the Emergency may need to rely on historical documentaries and books instead.
What is the film Emergency (2025) about?
Emergency is a historical biographical drama directed by Kangana Ranaut. It portrays the events of the Indian Emergency (1975-1977) and focuses on the life and decisions of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Who are the main actors in the film?
The film stars Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi, alongside Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman, Satish Kaushik, and Darshan Pandya in key roles. - Why was Emergency delayed multiple times?
The film faced multiple delays due to certification issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and concerns about its historical accuracy. Additionally, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections played a role in its postponement. - How did Emergency perform at the box office?
The film was a commercial failure, collecting only around ₹21.75–22 crore against a budget of ₹60 crore. It also received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. - Where can I watch Emergency online?
The film was released on Netflix for streaming on 17 March 2025, following its theatrical release on 17 January 2025.
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