Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency has released its trailer, offering a dramatic portrayal of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s ascent to power. The film, which presents Indira’s life as a Shakespearean tragedy, delves into some of the most controversial chapters of Indian history, including the Emergency period.
The trailer highlights Indira Gandhi’s rise following the death of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. It suggests that she “usurped” power from him, transitioning from being dismissed as a “gungi gudiya” (dumb doll) to declaring herself synonymous with the nation, famously stating, “India is Indira and Indira is India.”
The film covers key events such as her assumption of office in 1966, her leadership during the 1971 war with Pakistan, and the imposition of Emergency in 1975, a time often regarded as the darkest in India’s democratic history due to the suspension of fundamental rights and autocratic governance.
Kangana portrays Indira as an authoritarian figure, highlighting the complex and controversial aspects of her leadership. The trailer suggests that the film will not shy away from presenting her as a leader who prioritized her own power over the nation’s welfare. Emotional moments in the trailer show Indira questioning the hatred she received from the country, while also acknowledging her son Sanjay Gandhi as a significant negative influence in her life.
Unlike typical biopics that glorify their subjects, Emergency appears to take a critical stance, painting Indira as a polarizing and autocratic figure. The film also features characters like Atal Bihari Vajpayee (played by Shreyas Talpade), who initially admires Indira but later becomes a critic, and Jaiprakash Narayan (played by Anupam Kher), who emerges as her outspoken opponent.
Emergency is set to release on September 6th, 2024, and it remains to be seen how audiences will react to this unflinching portrayal of one of India’s most complex leaders.