CBFC accused of delaying Kangana’s ‘Emergency’ at BJP’s behest

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide by September 25, 2024, regarding the release of ‘Emergency’, a film starring actor, politician Kangana Ranaut. The makers of the controversial film have accused the film body of intentionally delaying the release at the BJP's behest for Sikh votes.

A bench of Justices Burgess Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla was hearing a plea by the film's financier seeking a certificate for the film's release.

Senior lawyer Venkatesh Dhond, representing the film's producer, argued that the CBFC was intentionally dragging the release of the film until after the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections.

"The co-producer (Ranaut) is a BJP MP and they (the party) do not want a film which hurts the sentiments of certain communities by a BJP member.

"In response, Justice Colabawalla queried if the delay in release "will affect the voting decision of people voting for BJP?"

"Why would someone ruling in a state want to thwart the film made by their own member? Had it been that the state was ruled by some other opposition party, we could have considered it."

Further accusing the BJP, the lawyer said, "All this is happening at the behest of the ruling party (BJP) in the Centre. They are looking at their overall interests and thus don't want this film to be released."

Justice Colabawalla then asked if the BJP was acting against its own MP. To this, Dhond said Ranaut has been asked to "maintain discipline".

The court's order on Thursday came a week after it passed an order on September 4, directing the film body to consider the representations filed by the Jabalpur Sikh Sangat against the film and take a decision by September 18, on whether to release it or not.

"Today, we are informed that the decision isn't taken because the matter is referred to the revising committee of the CBFC," it said, directing the CBFC to take a decision on whether to release the film or not by September 25.

"Whatever they want to do, they have to take a decision by the said date. You take a decision. Have the courage to say that the film should not be released. We will appreciate the stand of the CBFC. Don't be a fence sitter. We will decide the issue even if you say that the film should not be released. Have the courage to say that the film should not be released."

Directed, written and co-produced by Kangana Ranaut, 'Emergency' is based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The actor-politician also stars as Indira Gandhi.