Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who is currently receiving praises for her performance in Emergency, reacted to protests against the film in Punjab. In an emotional statement, Kangana expressed gratitude for the love and respect the film has received but shared her disappointment over the situation in Punjab.
The actress urged audiences in Punjab to watch Emergency and decide for themselves whether it fosters unity or division.
“You all gave so much love and respect to our film. We don’t even have words to express our gratitude. But I still have some pain in my heart. Punjab. In the industry, it was said that my films perform the best in Punjab. And today is a day when my film is not even allowed to be released in Punjab,” Kangana is heard saying in the video which she posted on her official social media accounts.
Kangana also drew parallels between the situation and reports of violence against Indians in Canada and Britain, stating, “Some small-minded people have set this country on fire. And you and I are burning in this fire.”
She urged audiences to watch the film and decide for themselves whether it fosters unity or division. “My film, my thoughts, and my attitude towards the country are reflected in this film. You decide for yourself after watching this film. Does this film connect us or does it break us?” she concluded, signing off with “Jai Hind.”
“Immense gratitude… Emergency in cinemas now,” she captioned her post.
Take a look at Kangana’s video here:
Immense gratitude
Emergency in cinemas now pic.twitter.com/B3E7Bxe4Po— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 20, 2025
Emergency, which chronicles the political turbulence during India’s Emergency period in 1975, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, has faced backlash in certain quarters.
Khalistani activists stop Emergency screening in London
The screening of the film was disrupted at a theatre in London on Saturday after a bunch of pro-Khalistan activists stormed inside the cinema hall and demanded that the movie be halted. They were even seen engaging in verbal spat with the audience inside the theatre.
They even shouted “Khalistan Zindabad” inside the theatre, arguing with the audience that the film showed the community in a poor light.
#BREAKING: Khalistani radicals with faces covered storm inside a Cinema Hall in London, UK to disrupt screening of the film #Emergency. Shameful, under watch of UK Govt against freedom of speech. No action taken by British Police. @KanganaTeam @AnupamPKher pic.twitter.com/pKVApwAqUd
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 19, 2025
Controversies surrounding Emergency
Emergency marked the directorial debut of Kangana and she has also played the lead role in the film. The film has been at the centre of controversies ever since its first look was released, and after multiple delays and setbacks, it released on January 17.
The film was earlier scheduled to release in September 2024, however, it was postponed at the last minute after the Censor Board refused to grant it a certificate.
Additionally, it has been facing opposition from certain Sikh organisations in Punjab, who accused the makers of misrepresentation and objected to its release.
Earlier, Kangana had also revealed that she had to sell her Mumbai property to fund the project after the postponement, an ordeal she never anticipated while bringing this film to life.
