Kangana Ranaut, the actress-turned-director, has opened up about the immense challenges she faced while making Emergency, her second directorial venture. The film, which revolves around the 21-month-long Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977, encountered multiple roadblocks before its final release date was confirmed.
A Struggle from Start to Finish
Kangana shared her experience, revealing that she had no idea how difficult the journey of making Emergency would be. She said, “I had no idea that I would endure difficult times while making this film… usually, my films are made on a very comfortable budget, but this time, I faced a lot of struggles—be it related to studios or funds. The biggest struggle was that no one was confident about the film’s release. ‘Will it ever get released or not?’ This question was always there on our mind.”
Despite being an established figure in Bollywood, Kangana struggled with financial backing for the project. Studios were hesitant to support the film, and funding became a major issue, leading her to take drastic steps.
Selling Off Her Property to Fund the Film
To ensure the completion of Emergency, Kangana was forced to sell off one of her properties in Mumbai. The film’s release had been postponed, which resulted in further financial strain. “I never thought that I would battle such difficulties while creating a film,” she admitted.
Facing Scrutiny and Backlash
Beyond financial troubles, Emergency also faced intense scrutiny from various communities. Kangana explained, “Bahut sangharsh raha… kaafi cheezo ka saamana karna pada (There were a lot of conflicts… we faced a lot of challenges). It was not an easy ride… it was filled with several hardships. We had to show this film to so many communities. Our film was scrutinized on every single thing… after conquering all such obstacles, we have finally reached here.”
Adding to the hurdles, Emergency missed its original release date of September 6, 2024, due to clearance issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film also faced backlash from certain Sikh organizations, which objected to its release and accused the makers of misrepresenting facts.
Faith in the Constitution and the Censor Board
Despite these setbacks, Kangana remained steadfast in her belief in the system. She expressed gratitude for the Indian Constitution and the Censor Board, saying, “We have a lot of faith in our constitution, country, and the censor board, which allows us today to make our film available for the audience. We are eagerly waiting to show the film to the world.”
Final Release Date Confirmed
After months of struggles, Emergency has finally received approval from CBFC and is now scheduled for release on January 17, 2025. The film, produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, features Kangana in the lead role as Indira Gandhi. The star-studded cast also includes Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, and the late Satish Kaushik.
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