Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film ‘Emergency’ has found itself at the center of a legal dispute. Despite the high expectations surrounding the release, the film’s fate remains uncertain as the Bombay High Court has asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide by September 25 on whether to allow the film’s release. During the court hearing, the co-producers raised concerns that the film’s release is being intentionally delayed at the behest of the BJP, despite Kangana Ranaut being a sitting BJP MP herself.
An interesting conversation took place in court when Justice Burgess Colabawala questioned whether the BJP would want to prevent a film produced by one of its members. Co-producers argued that the delay was happening due to objections from Sikh communities regarding the film’s portrayal of certain events and leaders.
Is the Film’s Release Being Blocked for Political Reasons?
The legal representatives of Zee Studios, co-producers of the film, hinted at a political influence behind the delay. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, who represented the producers, claimed that the Censor Board is deliberately postponing the film’s certification, aiming for a release after the Haryana elections in October. The court was told that this delay benefits the ruling BJP by preventing a controversial film from hitting the screens before the elections.
Justice Colabawala questioned this argument, asking if it implies that the film would influence voters’ decisions. “So, you are saying that this film will affect BJP voters during elections?” he asked. Dhond replied that some sections of the BJP were worried that certain parts of the film might offend communities, particularly the Sikh community, and therefore, it was in their interest to delay the release.
Censor Board Accused of Being Biased
Another point raised during the hearing was the role of the Censor Board. Justice Colabawala asked if the CBFC was acting independently or under pressure from the central government. Senior advocate Dhond argued that the CBFC was working on instructions from higher political authorities. He claimed that Kangana, despite being a BJP MP, has been asked to “maintain discipline” by not pushing for the film’s release.
This has raised questions about whether the Censor Board is indeed operating impartially or if political concerns are delaying the release of the film. Justice Colabawala expressed frustration with the delays, pointing out that people should not assume that a film is offensive to a community before even watching it. He emphasized, “This is not a documentary. Do you think people are so naive that they will believe everything shown in the film?”
Judicial Bench Defends Creative Freedom, Raises Concerns About Over-Censorship
Justice Colabawala used his own experience as a member of the Parsi community to highlight how often minority groups are depicted in films without causing real harm. “My community is ridiculed in almost every film,” he remarked. “But we laugh and move on. Why should communities feel threatened by portrayals in films? Isn’t there room for creative freedom?”
He emphasized the importance of not stifling artistic expression and freedom of speech in India, especially when it comes to cinema, where storytelling often blends fact with fiction. His statement urged the Censor Board to be mindful of not limiting creative freedom, as over-regulation could stifle the artistic and cultural growth of the film industry.
Court Gives Deadline to the Censor Board
As the hearing continued, the bench made it clear that it expected the CBFC to make a firm decision on the film’s release before September 25, 2024. The court criticized the Censor Board for dragging its feet and not being upfront about its concerns. Justice Colabawala remarked, “Do whatever you want, but you must decide by September 25. Have the courage to say if the film should not be released. Do not leave it hanging in uncertainty.”
This strong direction from the court has put pressure on the Censor Board to act decisively. The CBFC was reminded that the delay in making a decision not only impacts the producers but also raises questions about the Board’s impartiality.
Allegations of Political Influence Add Complexity to Case
The most striking part of the court hearing was the question raised by the judges about why a ruling political party would oppose a film made by one of its MPs. Dhond replied that despite Kangana’s role in the party, the film was seen as potentially offensive to some groups, and hence, the BJP leadership might want to avoid controversy before elections. The court, however, seemed skeptical about this reasoning, pushing for a faster resolution.
Justice Colabawala Criticizes Community Objections Before Film Release
Justice Colabawala strongly criticized the community objections that have held back the release. He questioned how people can form opinions on a film’s content without actually watching it. “This is a film, not a statement of fact. The people of our country are not so naive,” he stated. He stressed that such objections should not override creative freedom, and filmmakers must be allowed to express their vision without fear of unwarranted censorship.
As the Bombay High Court waits for the Censor Board’s decision on September 25, the fate of Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ hangs in balance. The upcoming decision could have wider implications on how films are censored and the influence of politics on the Indian film industry.
