Like Kangana's Emergency, Vidya Balan's Webseries On Indira Gandhi Awaits Clearance

Kangana Ranaut recently announced via her X handle that her anticipated film, Emergency, won't be released on the scheduled date as it's still awaiting approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, which sees Kangana portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has faced objections from the Sikh community over certain depictions.

Like Kangana Ranaut's Emergency, Vidya Balan's Indira Gandhi Series Also awaits clearance

Before Kangana’s Emergency, Vidya Balan had acquired the rights to Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister (2017), a book by journalist Sagarika Ghose, back in 2018. In her previous interview, the actor had also expressed her long-held desire to play Indira Gandhi on screen, with her husband Siddharth Roy Kapur producing the project under his banner, Roy Kapur Films.

In a 2019 interview with Firstpost, Vidya revealed that the project was transitioning into a web series, directed by Ritesh Batra. "The Indira Gandhi web series is taking longer than I wish. They’re rewriting the script according to the web and will soon come to me with the final version."

She added, "I was offered the role five years ago also, by multiple people. But I told them as long as you don’t get the requisite permissions, I can’t do the film." Similarly, Kangana's film release has been postponed following the Central Board of Film Certifications (CBFC) revoking its certification.

Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' Release Delayed Again

In a recent podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Kangana expressed her frustration over the situation. She stated, "An emergency has been imposed on my film too. It's a very hopeless state. I am quite disappointed with our country and the current circumstances." The actor-director conveyed her dismay at the obstacles faced, despite having created the film with utmost respect and integrity.

Kangana remains resolute, saying that such setbacks will not deter her from pursuing her creative endeavours. "We'll continue to tell our stories despite these challenges. People will always try to intimidate us, but we can't keep living in fear. I've crafted this film with great respect, and although the CBFC has delayed the certification, I am committed to releasing an uncut version. I refuse to compromise on how the film depicts historical events," she added.

Here's What Happened

Emergency has been mired in controversies, including criticism from various Sikh groups and ongoing issues with the CBFC. On August 27, Emergency received a legal notice from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The notice urged the producers, including Kangana, to remove the film’s trailer, which was released earlier this month.

SGPC secretary Partap Singh voiced strong objections to the film, alleging that it contains scenes that hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. He stated, "After the release of the film’s trailer, many anti-Sikh scenes had come to light." Along with the legal notice, separate letters were sent to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), calling for a ban on Emergency.

Legal Notice Claims It 'Hurts' Sikh Sentiments

The controversy surrounding Emergency escalated when both the SGPC and the Akal Takht called for an immediate ban on the film. They accused the film of attempting to “characterise assassinate” Sikhs by portraying them negatively. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami held a press conference where he demanded an FIR against Kangana Ranaut and criticised the film for misrepresenting the Sikh community.

"Even in the past, Sikh sentiments have been hurt due to the misrepresentation of our community in films," Dhami stated. He called the CBFC “biassed” and urged for the inclusion of Sikh members on the censor board to prevent such incidents in the future.

Accusations of Deliberate Misrepresentation

Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, further condemned the film, claiming that it "deliberately misrepresented the character of Sikhs as separatists, which is part of a deep conspiracy." 

Singh emphasised the sensitivity of the issue by referencing the anti-Sikh violence of June 1984. He added, "Ranaut’s film is trying to character assassinate Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, who has been declared a Qaumi Shaheed (community’s martyr) by Sri Akal Takht Sahib."

About Emergency

Kangana Ranaut announced Emergency in 2021, clarifying that while it is a political drama, it is not a biopic of Indira Gandhi. Ranaut not only plays the lead role in the film but also directs it. The movie features an ensemble cast, including Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and Shreyas Talpade, who portrays Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The late actor Satish Kaushik will be seen as former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram.