September 30, 2024: Actor-director Kangana Ranaut has consented to the cuts recommended by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for her highly anticipated film Emergency. The announcement was made during a recent hearing at the Bombay High Court, where the board confirmed that Ranaut, who is also a co-producer of the film, accepted the proposed edits.
The CBFC’s revisions come in response to controversy surrounding the film’s portrayal of the Sikh community. During the court session, advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing the CBFC, informed the judges, Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, that both the filmmakers and the CBFC have reached an agreement on specific cuts necessary for the film’s release.
Controversy Surrounding the Emergency Film’s Release
The hearing was initiated due to a petition filed by Zee Studios, the film’s co-producer, seeking the release of the censor certificate. The request followed public outcry from Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, who accused the film of misrepresenting their community and distorting historical facts.
Originally slated for release on September 6, Emergency has faced delays as the filmmakers navigate the sensitivities raised by community representatives. Advocate Sharan Jagtiani, representing the film’s financier, mentioned that the CBFC had recommended several cuts and modifications, with earlier reports indicating as many as 13 cuts were requested.
Minor Changes Suggested by CBFC
Jagtiani conveyed to the court that the co-producer confirmed some cuts had been agreed upon. Meanwhile, Advocate Chandrachud noted that the suggested edits were mostly minor, involving “words here and there,” which would not significantly alter the film’s over two-hour runtime.
The bench acknowledged that the formalities surrounding the film Emergency certification are still in progress and subsequently adjourned the hearing to Thursday. Last week, the CBFC stated that the film could proceed to release following the acceptance of these specific cuts.
With the resolution of these issues, Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency is one step closer to hitting theaters, pending final approval from the CBFC