The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) informed the Bombay High Court on Thursday that a certificate for Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’ will be issued if certain cuts, recommended by its revising committee, are made. The film was originally scheduled for release on September 6 but has faced delays due to certification issues.
Ranaut, who directed and co-produced the film while portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accused the CBFC of stalling the process to hinder the film’s release. The biographical drama has sparked controversy, particularly among Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, which claimed the film misrepresents the community and distorts historical facts.
A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla criticized the CBFC last week for failing to make a decision regarding the film’s certification. The court emphasized the importance of timely decisions to avoid infringing on freedom of speech. The CBFC was directed to reach a conclusion by September 25.
During Thursday’s hearing, the bench inquired if there was ‘good news’ for the film. CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud confirmed that the revising committee had made a decision, suggesting cuts before the certificate could be issued. Zee Entertainment Enterprises, co-producing the film, sought time to decide on the proposed cuts, with further hearings scheduled for September 30. Zee previously alleged that the certification was being withheld for political reasons related to upcoming elections in Haryana.
