CBFC Ready to Certify Kangana Ranaut's Film "Emergency" with Cuts

Emergency Movie Update: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has informed the Bombay High Court that it will issue a certificate for Kangana Ranaut's film "Emergency" if certain cuts are made as recommended by its revising committee.

Film Release Delays

Originally set to release on September 6, the film has faced delays due to disputes with the CBFC. Kangana Ranaut, who directed, co-produced, and stars in the film as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, claims that the board is stalling the certification process to postpone its release.

Controversy and Criticism

The film has received backlash from Sikh organizations, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal, which argue that it misrepresents historical facts and inaccurately portrays the Sikh community.

Court Proceedings

During a recent court session, the judges asked the CBFC if they had any good news about the film. CBFC’s lawyer, Abhinav Chandrachud, stated that the revising committee suggested some cuts before they could issue a certificate.

Next Steps

Senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani, representing Zee Entertainment (the film's distributor), requested more time to consider the suggested cuts. The court has scheduled another hearing for September 30.

Political Concerns

Zee Entertainment’s plea highlighted that the CBFC had previously approved the film but delayed issuing the certificate. The company suggested that this delay might be politically motivated, especially with upcoming elections in Haryana. The court also questioned why the ruling party would act against Kangana, who is a member of the BJP.

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Court's Stance on CBFC

Last week, Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla criticized the CBFC for its slow response, stressing that indecision infringes on freedom of speech. The court directed the CBFC to make a decision by September 25.