Bombay HC Gives CBFC A Timeframe to Decide On Kangana Ranaut Starrer Emergency

As per the Latest Bollywood News, the Bombay High Court has directed the CBFC to make its final decision on Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency by Wednesday.

Co-produced by Zee Entertainment, the film’s release has been delayed due to protests from Sikh organizations, claiming misrepresentation of their community. 

This decision is crucial as the producers await the censor certificate for the film’s theatrical release.

Creative Freedom & Censorship Clash In Spotlight

During the hearing, Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla highlighted the significance of creative freedom, questioning whether it was the CBFC’s responsibility to maintain public order.

Justice Colabawalla pointed out that Emergency is a fictional piece rather than a documentary, and remarked, “What about creative freedom? It’s not for the CBFC to determine if this impacts public order,” further emphasizing that audiences shouldn’t be seen as “naive.”

Political Implications

CBFC counsel Abhinav Chandrachud stated that the delay stemmed from concerns regarding specific scenes in Emergency, especially those involving a polarizing political figure.

The Board is closely examining the factual accuracy of these scenes, fearing they could provoke controversy. The High Court, however, criticized the CBFC’s indecisiveness, remarking, “Ample time was given to either grant or deny certification.”

Legal Precedents & Financial StakesThe film stars Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi, with Anupam Kher and Shreyas Talpade in supporting roles, and delves into the 1975 Emergency period.

The court highlighted the significant financial impact of the release delay on the producers. A prior petition in the Madhya Pradesh High Court was addressed after the CBFC confirmed that no certification had been granted yet.