The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to order the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to urgently issue a certificate for Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency” but instructed the board to address any objections or representations by 18 September. The two-judge bench was hearing a plea from Zee Studios, the film’s co-producer.
The petition has accused the CBFC of “illegally and arbitrarily” withholding the film’s certification. The board told the court that the certificate had been issued, but is now on hold.
“Emergency”, based on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s life, is written, directed, and produced by Ranaut. The film’s release, initially set for 6 September, has been postponed following concerns from Sikh organisations regarding its portrayal of Sikhs and historical accuracy. Accordingly, the CBFC has requested for additional cuts.
The court said that it could not issue a directive to the CBFC because the Madhya Pradesh High Court had already instructed the board to consider objections from the Jabalpur Sikh Sangat, which had challenged the film’s content and trailer.
“Judicial propriety demands such orders ought not to be passed. We therefore, are unable to direct the CBFC to issue the certificate as sought by the petitioner. We, however, do not dispose of the present petition. We direct the CBFC to consider the objections,” the bench of Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla said.
The court noted that a huge amount of money goes into making a film and the matter could not be kept open-ended. “Movies are released on Fridays. There are crores and crores invested in this,” the court said.
The court also reprimanded the CBFC after its counsel sought more time, citing the upcoming Ganpati festival. The court said it could not be a ground to not work and further delay the process.
Kangana Ranaut’s team reacted to the development and wrote on X, “High Court has blasted the censor for illegally withholding the certificate of Emergency.”
On Tuesday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court allowed the Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and Sri Guru Singh Sabha to submit detailed objections to the CBFC within three days. The petitioners claimed certain scenes in the film violated Sikh community rights and sought an apology from Ranaut. The CBFC informed the court that no final certificate had been issued. The Shiromani Akali Dal also sent a legal notice to the CBFC, urging it to stop the film’s release.
Sources in the government said that there is some sensitive content in the film. “The Centre was seriously looking at the concerns. Religious sentiments cannot be hurt.”
