Kangana's 'Emergency' to miss September 6 release following court ruling
The Bombay High Court, on Wednesday, refused to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate for the film Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut. The court's order comes after the MP High Court had directed the censor board to decide on representations made by Jabalpur Sikh Sangat, which had raised objections against the film and its trailer. The next hearing in the case has been reportedly scheduled for September 19.
MP HC had disposed of petition seeking ban on 'Emergency'
On Tuesday, the MP HC had disposed of a petition seeking a ban on Emergency. The court had directed the censor board to consider the objections raised by the petitioners. The Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Indore had sought a ban on the film, alleging that it portrayed the Sikh community in a negative light. The film is directed by Ranaut.
'Emergency' will not release on September 6, says CBFC
The CBFC had informed the court on Tuesday that the movie has not been cleared for screening yet. The biographical drama will not be released on September 6, as decided by the producer. Despite the setback, BJP MP, Ranaut, claimed a win in court. "High court has blasted censor for illegally withholding the certificate of #emergency," she said in a post on X/Twitter. The movie is co-produced by Ranaut's Manikarnika Films and ZEE Studios.
'Emergency' ran into trouble after SGPC raised objections
The film, based on the Emergency imposed by the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi-led government in 1975, ran into trouble after the SGPC—the apex religious body for Sikhs—alleged that it misrepresents the community and sought a ban. In court, ZEE's counsel told the bench that CBFC informed Manikarnika Films on August 8 that the film is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. On August 14, the film's makers submitted the movie to CBFC with the modifications.
'CBFC is a censor body, not an authority': ZEE's counsel
ZEE's counsel argued that "CBFC is a censor body and not an authority to look after the law and order situation." "The maker of the film is a sitting MP. They gave her a censor certificate and could have simply said, look we have given the censor certificate and now if there is unrest, the State can take care of the same. They cannot say that now that there is an unrest, we will rethink the certification."
