Kangana Ranaut: Directing Emergency was wrong decision

Actor and MP, Kangana Ranaut discussed the delay in the release of her debut solo directorial, Emergency. She regretted her decision to release the film in theatres.

In Short

• Kangana Ranaut reflected on her decision to direct Emergency
• She said looking for a theatrical release was a 'wrong decision'
• Kangana shared how an OTT release would be a better option

Actor and MP Kangana Ranaut addressed the controversies surrounding her debut directorial, Emergency. Kangana reflected on her decision to release the film theatrically rather than a direct-to-streaming debut. She even said how directing the political drama was the 'wrong decision'.

In an interview with News18, Kangana, who will be seen playing the role of former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, admitted feeling 'scared' by the delay in her film's release, especially when the Central Bureau of Film Certification (CBFC) withheld certification for several months.

“I was scared. I did feel that it was a wrong decision to release it in theatres. I thought that I could’ve got a better deal on OTT and that would mean that I didn’t have to go through any censorship. I was scared that my film would be dissected aur pata nahi kya kya nikaal denge aur kya rakhenge (I didn’t know what they would censor and what all they would keep),” Kangana said.

Further, Kangana remarked how she took things for granted and thought that nothing would happen to her film because of BJP’s national rule. “I felt like I made wrong decisions and choices on many levels, and the first one being wanting to direct the film. I took things for granted thinking that we don’t have the Congress government in the centre. So much happened when Mrs Gandhi served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms. Khatarnak hua tha. I thought that I would get away by making Emergency. But that didn’t happen. I was in despair. However, we fought the situation,” she added.

Given all the suggestions by the censor body to edit a few scenes, Kangana shared that the final version is a slightly edited one. Reacting to the same, she said, “We have a lot of respect for government bodies and we cooperated with them. We had to edit some things out, but that’s not because they aren’t true or there’s no evidence to substantiate them. It’s just that we didn’t want to hurt sentiments. We submitted all the necessary documents. Everything was scrutinised and vetted by historians and people from different communities and parts of the country. They didn’t find anything in the film offensive. They felt that it was unfair to stall its release.”

Set against one of the most turbulent times in Indian political history, Emergency delves into the state of emergency declared by Indira Gandhi in 1975. Directed and starring Kangana, the film also stars Anupam Kher and Shreyas Talpade in pivotal roles.

Emergency is scheduled to release in theatres on January 17.