A Bold Take On The Emergency Era. Review on Emergency

Kangana Ranaut's latest film, Emergency, made lots of hype since it is her debut as a solo director. The historical biographical drama unfolds on January 17, 2025, as a revisit of perhaps one of the most critical days in Indian history when civil liberties were suspended and then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared an emergency period from 1975 to 1977. A great cast, including Anupam Kher, Vishak Nair, and Satish Kaushik amidst the mixed reviews, makes it an interesting watch. But keeping the political thoughts out of my mind.

Emergency does not waste a moment delving into the intricacies that defined Indira Gandhi's rule during one of India's toughest moments. The film starts with the establishment of the political context leading to the declaration of the Emergency. Kangana Ranaut essays Indira Gandhi, a leader who changed from being strong and decisive to a dictatorial one. The first half of the film sets up for a movie where everything moves slowly - showing the political rise and personal losses of Gandhi. The last half speeds up into dramatic proportions, revealing the results of declaring an Emergency and the common man's fallout over it.

Some moments stand out in Emergency, especially those that highlight Kangana's performance. The actual announcement of the emergency and how the prime minister handles public outlash. There was a scene that stuck in my mind where Gandhi goes through personal tragedy to showcase the depth and range of an actress like Kangana. The cinematography captures the essence of 1970s India, effectively immersing viewers in that era. The music, especially "Ae Meri Jaan, " will remind you of those days. The film tries to present a balanced view of Gandhi's actions during the Emergency without glorifying or vilifying her. This might be a safer approach, but it makes the storyline dull and monotonous. For those who know the historical context, a more nuanced approach would have earned the film more appreciation.

The performance of all the actors stands out. The supporting cast is amazing with talented actors from across the industry. For people like me who are interested in political dramas or historical narratives, it was worth watching how each character unfolds. The background scores and the visuals were compelling and despite being her first film as a solo director, Kangana does a commendable job. The interactions between Gandhi and her advisors, especially with figures like Sanjay Gandhi, are written with great attention to detail. Kudos to the writers for the dialogues. The editing could have been better to shorten the length of the film.

For those interested in Indian history, particularly political history, Emergency does serve as a riveting recounting of that critical period. Watching it in the theatre only gives one those goosebumps moments when it comes to the plight of citizens. Some critics may point out weaknesses in the script and execution, but I felt the pacing was outstanding and you remain hooked on your seats till the end. I spent around 250 rupees on the ticket and feel it was worth experiencing the movie on the big screen.