Key Points:
- Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ opened to ₹2.35 crore, marking her highest solo film opening in five years.
- The film portrays former PM Indira Gandhi during the tumultuous Emergency period (1975–1977).
- SGPC protested, alleging anti-Sikh sentiments, leading to limited screenings in Punjab.
- Police deployed at malls and cinemas in Punjab due to protests.
Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut’s much-awaited solo directorial ‘Emergency’, depicting one of the most controversial chapters in Indian political history, finally hit the theatres on Friday. Despite the prolonged wait and legal controversies, the film managed to open with ₹2.35 crore on its first day, making it Kangana’s most successful solo opening since the pandemic.
Kangana’s Recent Box Office History
Compared to her previous solo ventures, ‘Emergency’ stands out. Her last film, ‘Tejas’ (2023), opened at ₹1.25 crore, while the 2022 action thriller ‘Dhaakad’ collected ₹1.20 crore. Even ‘Thalaivi’ (2021), a political biopic based on Tamil Nadu’s late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, earned ₹1.46 crore in three languages on its opening day. However, Kangana’s biggest opening before ‘Emergency’ was the 2020 sports drama ‘Panga’, which collected ₹2.70 crore before theatres closed due to the pandemic.
The Film’s Premise
Directed and headlined by Kangana, ‘Emergency’ focuses on the turbulent 21-month Emergency period imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The narrative delves into the sociopolitical upheaval, censorship, and civil liberties violations during that time.
SGPC Controversy and Punjab Protests
The film, however, faced backlash from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Accusations of misrepresenting Sikh history led to protests, with SGPC members demanding a ban on the film. In Punjab, major cinema halls in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda refrained from screening the movie.
SGPC Chief Harjinder Singh Dhami escalated the issue by writing to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, seeking intervention. Heavy police deployment outside malls and theatres in the state underscored the tension.
Kangana’s Response
Addressing the controversy, Kangana Ranaut denounced the SGPC’s actions as an “oppression of art and artists.” She asserted that the film’s intent was to shed light on an important historical event and not to hurt religious sentiments.
The opening collection sets a hopeful tone for the film’s box office journey. However, the limited screenings in Punjab, coupled with the controversy, may impact its overall performance. Whether Kangana’s bold political drama can sustain its momentum amid the uproar remains to be seen.
