Kangana Ranaut Opens Up About Portraying Indira Gandhi in ‘Emergency’ and Managing Her Acting and Political Roles: ‘Her Life Was a Shakespearean Tragedy’

Kangana Ranaut, renowned Indian actor and filmmaker, is preparing to reveal her latest project, “Emergency,” which delves into a contentious chapter in India’s post-independence history. The film focuses on the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977, during which Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency, granting herself extraordinary powers, suspending civil liberties, and halting elections.

During the Locarno Film Festival, where she was honored with a career achievement award, Ranaut made the announcement about “Emergency.” She shared her excitement about Red Chillies Entertainment acquiring the rights to the film, saying, “We as a production company bought the rights of this film back, and I’m very, very proud that it belongs to our company now.”

Ranaut, born in 1986, expressed a personal connection to the historical period through the film. “I tried to understand it, and I said, ‘Oh, why not? Why don’t I make a film on it?’” she explained. Her interest in Indian politics and history, sparked by a line from Pupul Jayakar’s biography of Gandhi, led her to explore this complex era.

“Emergency” is not a straightforward historical recount but an examination of the implications of power. Ranaut describes it as a profound study of the consequences of authority, emphasizing the film’s honest portrayal of the era.

Despite the sensitivity of the subject, given the current political opposition, Ranaut is confident in the film’s impact. She has involved a “large team of historians” to ensure authenticity. “Nobody can get offended by this kind of honesty,” she stated.

Ranaut, who has also been balancing her role as a member of parliament, acknowledges the challenges of juggling political duties with filmmaking. Her second directorial effort, “Emergency,” follows her previous success with “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi” (2019).

As she navigates her dual responsibilities, she remains dedicated to both her political and film careers, adapting her schedule to accommodate her varied commitments.