Emergency: Who’s playing who? Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi, Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, and more

Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi: Ranaut embodies the role of India’s first and only female Prime Minister, capturing her leadership during one of the nation’s darkest periods. Known for her powerful performances, Ranaut’s portrayal is highly anticipated.

Kangana Ranaut plays Indira Gandhi in Emergency. (Pic: Kangana/Instagram)

Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan: Kher takes on the role of the prominent political leader and activist who opposed the Emergency, highlighting Narayan’s pivotal role in advocating for civil liberties.

Anupam Kher plays Jayaprakash Narayan in Emergency. (Pic: Anupam/Instagram)

Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Talpade depicts BJP co-founder and senior leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the film. Vajpayee served as India’s Prime Minister years after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The film showcases Vajpayee’s political journey and how he fought against the Emergency, with Jayaprakash Narayan by his side.

Shreyas Talpade plays Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Emergency. (Pic: Shreyas/Instagram)

Mahima Chaudhry as Pupul Jayakar: Chaudhry portrays Indira Gandhi’s close confidante and biographer, offering insights into Gandhi’s personal and political life. Jayakar shared a close relationship with the Gandhi family, spanning three Prime Ministers: Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi, and her son Rajiv Gandhi. In addition to her close ties with the family, she also served as a cultural advisor to both Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.

Mahima Chaudhry plays Pupul Jayakar in Emergency. (Pic: Mahima/Instagram)

Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: Soman embodies India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, highlighting his military leadership and interactions with the Prime Minister during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Soman’s portrayal aims to capture Manekshaw’s charisma and strategic acumen.

Milind Soman plays Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in Emergency. (Pic: Milind/Instagram)

Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi: Nair takes on the role of Indira Gandhi’s younger son, whose controversial role during the Emergency are a focal point of the film. Sanjay died in an aircraft mishap in 1980.

Vishak Nair plays Sanjay Gandhi in Emergency. (Pic: Vishak/Instagram)

Satish Kaushik as Jagjivan Ram: Late actor Satish Kaushik portrays the senior Indian politician and former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram. While Jagjivan Ram served under Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, the film highlights his stance during this controversial period.

Satish Kaushik plays Jagjivan Ram in Emergency. (Pic: Satish/Instagram)

Scott Alexander Young as Richard Nixon: Young plays the 37th President of the United States, reflecting on Indo-US relations during Gandhi’s tenure and their bitter relationship.

Scott Alexander Young plays Richard Nixon in Emergency. (Pic: IMDB)

Ashok Chhabra as Morarji Desai: Chhabra depicts the Indian political leader who succeeded Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister, focusing on his opposition to the Emergency.

Ashok Chhabra plays Morarji Desai in Emergency. (Pic: Ashok/Instagram)

Adhir Bhat as Feroze Gandhi: Bhat portrays Indira Gandhi’s husband, offering a glimpse into their personal relationship and his influence on her political life.

Kateryna Grabovska as Sonia Gandhi: Grabovska takes on the role of Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law, providing insight into the Gandhi family’s personal dynamics during the Emergency. Her portrayal aims to shed light on Sonia Gandhi’s early years in Indian politics.

What was the Emergency?

From June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used special provisions in the Constitution to proclaim emergency and impose sweeping executive and legislative consequences in the country. While most opposition leaders were put in jail, the government curtailed fundamental rights including the freedom of speech and expression, leading to media being pre-censored.