‘Emergency’ release: Kangana Ranaut’s firm has agreed to most changes sought by panel, CBFC tells Bombay HC

Emergency is directed and co-produced by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut who also plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film.

The petitioner had contended a “political angle” that the Haryana polls scheduled on October 5 were the reason for the delay in the release of the certification.

Senior advocate Sharan Jagtiani for Zee Entertainment informed the bench that Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films, co-producer of the film, had a meeting with the CBFC and the petitioner was informed that they had agreed with the changes and cuts to the film.

“This is to be discussed between the Manikarnika Films and CBFC and the manner in which the changes are to be done,” Jagtiani submitted and added that it was required to be decided as to how the cuts are to be made.

Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud for the CBFC submitted that the producers were agreeable to most of the suggestions and said that the cuts would hardly affect even a minute of the film.

The court asked Jagtiani to share a copy of the communication between Manikarnika Films and CBFC with Chandrachud and asked parties to take proper instructions from their clients on the same and posted further hearing to Thursday, October 3.

The CBFC’s revising committee examined representations from Sikh groups raising concerns over the portrayal of the community in the movie trailer.

Of the 13 changes, the committee recommended six insertions, four excisions, including removal of words ‘Sant’ and ‘Bhindranwale’ from a certain dialogue between two top political leaders, deletion of phrase praising Bhindranwale and removal of certain visuals and dialogues involving the targeting of non-Sikhs. It also asked the producers to delete a dialogue referring to Khalistan and tone down certain scenes depicting Sikhs. The Board has also asked the producers to make three modifications in scenes and dialogues.