Kangana Ranaut’s controversial political drama Emergency hit theaters on Friday, but its debut was overshadowed by protests across Punjab, led by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sikh organizations. Most cinemas in the state refrained from screening the film amidst demonstrations and security concerns.
The SGPC and various Sikh groups staged protests outside malls and cinemas in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala, accusing the movie of misrepresenting the Sikh community.
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Holding black flags and placards reading “Boycott Emergency” and “Ban Emergency,” protesters demanded an immediate halt to its screening.
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Emergency sparks controversy
Directed, written, and produced by Ranaut, the film depicts the tumultuous 21 months of the Emergency period (1975-1977) under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While the movie has been delayed several times due to censorship issues, its release in Punjab was marred by accusations that it portrays Sikh characters in an objectionable light.
“We approached both the Central and Punjab governments to stop this film, but no action was taken,” SGPC spokesperson Partap Singh told PTI. “The movie has been made to disturb the peace of Punjab.”
Rajinder Singh Tohra, another SGPC member, echoed these sentiments, saying, “The film insults the entire Sikh community. We won’t allow it to be shown anywhere in Punjab.”
Restricted screenings amid security
Protests forced most cinemas in Punjab to pull Emergency from their schedules. In Amritsar, Mohali, and Ludhiana, demonstrators persuaded theater owners to halt screenings. “After objections from Sikh organizations, cinema owners decided not to show the movie,” said Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivam Aggarwal.
The SGPC also submitted memorandums to district authorities across Punjab, demanding a ban.
Kangana Ranaut fires back
Reacting to the uproar, Ranaut called the restricted screenings “harassment of art and the artist.” She posted on X, “This is propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film. I have the utmost respect for all religions and have closely observed Sikh traditions growing up in Chandigarh.”
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira supported the SGPC, accusing Ranaut of being critical of farmers and Sikhs. “Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann should take immediate steps to ban this film,” Khaira said.