Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film “Emergency” has encountered a significant setback after the Bombay High Court intervened in a dispute regarding its certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, which was originally slated for release on September 6, will now be postponed by two weeks, with a new release date of September 18. This decision follows the court’s directive to the CBFC to address objections raised against the film before issuing its certification.
Kangana Ranaut Reaction
On Wednesday, Kangana took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the court’s decision, sharing a tweet by Live Law that detailed the proceedings. The film’s producer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, had previously approached the Bombay High Court, seeking a directive for the CBFC to expedite the issuance of the certificate necessary for the film’s release.
High court has blasted censor for illegally withholding the cirtificate of #emergency https://t.co/KedtrQlvrU
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 4, 2024
In its ruling, a division bench comprising Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla sided with the producer’s claim that the certification process had been unnecessarily delayed. The court pointed out that the CBFC had prepared the certificate but had not issued it. The CBFC’s stance that the certificate was not valid because it lacked the chairperson’s signature was dismissed by the judges as an incorrect interpretation of the procedure.
The court stated that had it not been for an existing order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, it would have directed the CBFC to issue the certification immediately. However, in light of the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order, the Bombay High Court refrained from providing immediate relief to the filmmakers.
About Movie
“Emergency,” directed by Kangana Ranaut, is a biographical drama that has sparked controversy, particularly among Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal. These groups have accused the film of misrepresenting the Sikh community and distorting historical facts. This backlash is a contributing factor to the delay in certification, as the CBFC has been tasked with thoroughly reviewing the objections raised.
The film, which explores significant events in Indian history, is now scheduled to hit theaters on September 18, pending the CBFC’s final certification. The delay has added another layer of complexity to the film’s release, as audiences and stakeholders await the resolution of the ongoing controversy.
