Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency, released on January 17, has crossed the Rs 17 crore mark in its box office collection, despite facing several hurdles in its journey. The political drama, which depicts a critical period in Indian history—the Emergency period under Indira Gandhi—had a strong start but experienced a significant drop in collections after its opening.
On its 12th day, Emergency earned Rs 20 lakh, bringing its total box office earnings to Rs 17.10 crore, as reported by Sacnilk. The film’s overall occupancy rate in the Hindi market on January 28 stood at 7.23%, indicating the challenges it has faced in maintaining momentum at the box office.
Before the film’s release, it faced controversy when the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) called for a ban on the movie in several parts of Punjab. Cinemas in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda refrained from screening the film due to protests from SGPC members. The protests were sparked by the film’s content, which some felt was controversial, and led to a heavy police presence outside theatres in the region.
Kangana Ranaut responded to these protests on social media, expressing her frustration with the situation. She condemned the SGPC’s actions as “complete harassment of art and the artist” and criticized the ban in Punjab, stating, “Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened.” She further defended the film, stating that she had deep respect for the Sikh religion, having grown up in Chandigarh, and accused the ban of being a deliberate attempt to tarnish her image and harm the film’s prospects.
Emergency, directed and co-produced by Ranaut, takes a deep dive into one of the most significant and controversial periods in India’s post-independence history—the imposition of the Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film captures the period from 1975 to 1977, offering a glimpse into the political turmoil and its impact on the nation.
Ranaut plays the lead role of Indira Gandhi in Emergency, delivering a performance that has been met with mixed reviews. The film’s ensemble cast includes seasoned actors like Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, and Vishak Nair in pivotal roles.
Despite the hurdles, the film continues to draw attention for its bold approach to recounting a critical chapter in Indian history, with the box office collection standing as a testament to its ongoing appeal amid controversy.
Sources By Agencies
