Stream These Five Films That Capture The 1975 Emergency Era

Kangana Ranaut’s historical drama Emergency, depicting the dramatic events of India’s 1975-1977 state of emergency under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was set to release this week after numerous delays and controversies. However, in a recent twist, the Bombay High Court gave a major setback to the makers by denying certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 

As Ranaut’s Emergency faces hurdles, if you wish to understand more about that period of time, stream these powerful movies that capture the essence and impact of the Emergency. 

Films That Capture The 1975 Emergency Era 

Sarpatta Parambarai

Sarpatta Parambarai, directed by Pa. Ranjith, is a 2021 Tamil drama that transports viewers to the vibrant streets of 1970s North Chennai. The film dives into the gritty world of boxing while intricately weaving in the era's political ideologies, class struggles, and the complexities of the caste system in Hinduism with its backdrop reflecting the intense period of Emergency. Catch it now on Prime Video!

Indu Sarkar

Indu Sarkar, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, is a Hindi film that tells the story of Indu, a woman living in Delhi with her government-employed husband. As the emergency period unfolds, her husband seeks to leverage the situation for career advancement, while Indu's strong sense of morality drives her to take a different path. The film is available for streaming on platforms like Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV, or it can be rented or purchased from these services.

Midnight's Children

Adapted from Salman Rushdie’s Booker Prize-winning novel, the 2012 English film Midnight’s Children is a grand epic that delves into the lives of children born at the moment India gained independence from Britain on August 15, 1947. Directed by Deepa Mehta, this cinematic journey is available for streaming on multiple platforms, including Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Shala

Set in the 1970s in rural India, against the backdrop of the Emergency and its aftermath, this 2011 Marathi film vividly portrays the themes of struggle, freedom, and liberation. Directed by Sujay Dahake, the movie is adapted from Milind Bokil's acclaimed novel of the same name. The award-winning screenplay encapsulates the 21 months of tumultuous change in just 01:48 hours. Catch this compelling drama on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

A Few More Films

A special mention to 21 Months of Hell, the documentary which delves into the harsh torture tactics used by Indian police during the emergency period. Directed by Yadu Vijayakrishnan, it includes real-life testimonies from survivors and reenactments of the torture methods, running for 78 minutes and presented in Malayalam. 

However, much like Kangana’s Emergency, in January 2018, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) denied it certification, citing excessive violence among other reasons. Consequently, the documentary is not available for public viewing in its current form.

Moreover, for a nostalgic dive into the Emergency era, explore vintage documentaries, reactions, and short films like Our Prime Minister, We Have Promises to Keep, Sorry, I Am Late, and Our Indira. These films, produced during that time, offer a glimpse into the unique production style of the era, grainy footage, dramatic lighting, and the distinct cinematic techniques of the 1970s. They vividly portray the 21 months when democratic and constitutional norms were overshadowed by the prime minister's decree.