CBFC to Bombay HC: Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency can get certification if specific cuts are made

Kangana Ranaut, who directed and co-produced Emergency while also playing the lead role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accused the CBFC of stalling the film’s certification process in a deliberate effort to delay its release.

The biographical drama has been embroiled in controversy, with some Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that the movie misrepresents the community and distorts historical facts.

In response, a division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla expressed frustration at the CBFC for not taking timely action.

Last week, the bench stated that the board "cannot sit on the fence" and must make a decision, as further delay could restrict freedom of speech and expression.

The court set a deadline for the CBFC to decide by September 25.

On September 26, when asked by the Bombay High Court whether there was any update, CBFC's counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, confirmed that the revising committee had concluded.