Zee Entertainment Informed HC About Ongoing Discussions with CBFC Regarding 'Emergency' Film Certification

Zee Entertainment enterprises, a co-producer of Kangana Ranaut’s “Emergency film” film, on Thursday told the Bombay High Court it was working out with the Censor Board issues over distribution of certificates for the movie. 

The movie, which was at first slated for a September 6 release, has been involved in a battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), popularly known as the censor board for non-issuance of certificate for release of the movie. Last week, the CBFC told the high court that the movie could be released if certain cuts were made as decided by the board’s revising committee. 

On Thursday, senior counsel Sharan Jagtiani told a division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Ponniwalla the issues are being worked out. “ I believe it is working out between the CBFC and respondent 2,” Jagtiani said. The bench posted the issue of hearing on Friday. 

Earlier this week, the bench was informed by the censor board that Ranaut’s production company Manikarnika had agreed to cuts. The movie’s co-producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises had moved HC seeking a direction to CBFC to issue a certificate for the film “Emergency”, helmed by Kanagan Ranaut.           

The biographical drama has sparked controversy as Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, have raised objections, alleging that it misrepresents the community and contains historical inaccuracies. Zee Entertainment stated in its plea that the CBFC had already issued a certificate for the film but was not releasing it.

Ranaut, who directed and co-produced the film while also portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accused the CBFC earlier this week of delaying certification to postpone the release. Zee Entertainment further claimed that the certificate was being withheld for political reasons, particularly in light of the upcoming elections in Haryana. The bench then questioned why the ruling party (BJP) would act against Ranaut, who is a BJP MP herself.