Censor cleared Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency with cuts, sought fact-check on negative quotes

A ‘UA’ certification means the film is suitable for viewing with parental guidance. According to sources, the producers submitted the film for certification on July 8. On August 8—almost three weeks before Sikh organisations, including the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, started demanding a ban on the film—a regional officer of the CBFC wrote to Manikarnika Films Pvt Ltd, listing 10 “excisions/insertions/modifications” required by the examining committee for ‘UA’ certification.

Among the cuts, the committee suggested that the filmmakers delete or replace certain visuals in a scene depicting Pakistani soldiers attacking Bangladeshi refugees — specifically, one of a soldier smashing an infant’s head and another of three women being beheaded.

Additionally, the filmmakers were asked to replace an expletive shouted by someone in a crowd in response to the death of a leader in the film. The committee also asked for a change to the surname of a family mentioned in a line.

The filmmakers were also asked to provide “factual information” for a line delivered by an actor playing Nixon that made disparaging references to Indian women as well as for the line attributed to Churchill: “..Indians breed like rabbits.” Additionally, the CBFC requested factual sources for all research references and statistical data cited in the film, including information on Bangladeshi refugees, details of court judgments, and permissions for the use of archival footage of ‘Operation Bluestar.’

On Friday, Kangana Ranaut announced that the release of her film, originally slated for September 6, has been delayed.

Following the August 8 communication from CBFC, sources said that the filmmakers responded on August 14, the same day the film’s trailer was released. It is learned that the producers agreed to all but one of the cuts and provided sources for the information requested by the Board.

The film’s trailer, which depicted Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the leader of the separatist Khalistan movement, promising to bring votes for Indira Gandhi’s party in exchange for a separate Sikh state, had sparked sharp reactions. Several Sikh organisations wrote to the CBFC and even approached the courts to halt the film’s release, citing concerns over its portrayal of Sikhs.

On August 29, the filmmakers received an email stating that the movie had been granted certification; however, no certificate was issued, prompting them to approach the Bombay High Court. In court, the CBFC’s lawyer stated that the examining committee, which was supposed to hold another sitting to review the filmmakers’ August 14 response, had not convened yet. Therefore, a certificate could not have been issued without reviewing the response. The court has now directed the Board to make a decision on certification by September 18.

On Friday, Ranaut took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce that the release of her film, originally slated for September 6, has been delayed pending CBFC certification. “With a heavy heart, I announce that my directorial Emergency has been postponed. We are still waiting for the certification from the censor board. The new release date will be announced soon. Thanks for your understanding and patience,” Ranaut posted on X.

Ranaut didn’t respond to calls and a message for comment. However, a source close to the producers said that they would not comment given that the certification matter is in Bombay High Court.

The film’s story is written by the actor, and its screenplay by Ritesh Shah. It also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Choudhary and the late Satish Kaushik. Ranaut plays Indira Gandhi.