In a significant move, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Delhi unit has called upon the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to prevent the release of Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film, Emergency. The party alleges that the movie has the potential to stir communal tensions and disseminate misleading information.
Emergency, slated for release on September 6, stars Kangana Ranaut, a BJP Member of Parliament, portraying the late former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film’s trailer, which recently made its debut, has sparked controversy for its depiction of historical events, particularly those involving the Sikh community.
Paramjit Singh Sarna, the president of the SAD’s Delhi unit, sent a formal letter to the CBFC on Wednesday, expressing concerns over the content shown in the trailer. He claimed that the film presents “erroneous historical facts” and misrepresents the Sikh community in a manner that could incite hatred and social discord.
Sarna’s letter emphasizes the sensitive nature of the content portrayed in the film, urging the CBFC to take swift action to prevent any communal tension. He argued that such misrepresentations are not only irresponsible but could also inflame passions and disrupt social harmony.
The controversy revolves around the portrayal of the Emergency period in India, a time when civil liberties were curtailed, and many political figures, including those from the Sikh community, faced severe repression. The film’s trailer, according to Sarna, appears to distort these events, painting a picture that could potentially hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and other groups affected by the Emergency.
The Shiromani Akali Dal’s call for halting the film’s release highlights the ongoing concerns over the representation of historical events and figures in Indian cinema. The party’s plea to the CBFC reflects a broader demand for responsibility in filmmaking, especially when it comes to depicting sensitive topics that could impact public sentiment.
As the release date of Emergency approaches, the CBFC now faces a critical decision on whether to heed the call of the SAD and potentially revise or halt the film’s release. The situation is developing, and it remains to be seen how both the filmmakers and the CBFC will respond to the concerns raised by the Sikh political community.
This development is yet another instance of the intersection between cinema and politics in India, where the representation of historical events continues to be a contentious issue.