Mumbai:

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s new film, ‘Emergency’, can be released as long as “some cuts” – to be recommended by the Censor Board of Film Certification’s revision committee – are made, the Bombay High Court was told Thursday afternoon.

The movie was supposed to release on September 6, but ran into trouble after complaints of historical inaccuracies and misrepresenting the Sikh community. The movie is based on the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Government sources have told NDTV “there is some sensitive content” and that “religious sentiments cannot be hurt”.

The High Court was hearing a petition by the movie’s co-producers, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, seeking the release of the censor certificate so the movie can hit the screens.

Last week the court directed the CBFC to take a final call, accepting the film ratings body’s reservations but noting “it is not for CBFC to decide whether this affects public order”.

Justice BP Colabwalla, one of two judges in the division bench hearing this case, pointed out Ms Ranaut’s production is not a documentary, and asked, “Do you think public is so naive they will believe everything in a movie? What about creative freedom?”

READ | “But Creative Freedom?” Court’s Deadline For Kangana’s ‘Emergency’

The court also said the CBFC “can’t sit on the fence”. “Take a decision. Let’s see what the revising committee says, be it deciding to release or not, take a decision. Have the courage to say that the film should not be released. We will appreciate the stand of the CBFC,” it said.

Abhinav Chandrachud, the censor board’s counsel, told the court some scenes show a polarising figure cutting a deal with political parties. “We have to see if this is factually accurate,” he said, while also noting there is no “political angle” in the movie.

Earlier, the matter came up before the Madhya Pradesh High Court when two Sikh organisations filed a PIL. In response, the CBFC told the court the movie had not been issued a certificate.

NDTV Explains | Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Stuck. What Are The Objections

The court then disposed of that petition.

Ms Ranaut – who was also involved in a spat with the Congress over comments about the party’s Himachal Pradesh government and Sonia Gandhi, as well as over the farmers’ protests, has said she was forced to sell property due to the delayed censor certificate.

“I had staked my personal property on this film… which was supposed to come in theatres. Now it is not releasing, so the property is there, to be sold off in difficult times,” she said on X.

Ms Ranaut plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The movie also stars Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Mahima Chaudhry and Milind Soman in pivotal roles.

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New Delhi:

The Congress has responded angrily to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s allegations – that its Himachal Pradesh government illegally transferred funds meant for disaster relief to Sonia Gandhi.

The hill state’s Public Works Department Minister – Vikramaditya Singh – warned Ms Ranaut to either withdraw the accusation or face legal action. “If Kangana does not retract her statement… we will sue for defamation. On what basis did she make such a statement? It is extremely unfortunate (that) she made a statement against a leader of Sonia Gandhi’s stature,” Mr Singh said Monday afternoon.

“There cannot be a (more) foolish statement than saying ‘funds coming from the Centre, or the state’s funds for development, are being given to Sonia Gandhi,” he said, “I openly challenge Kangana to show proof of even Re 1 being diverted… or apologise to Sonia Gandhi for such baseless allegations…”

Mr Singh also slammed Ms Ranaut’s “intellectual bankruptcy”, pointing out the actor-politician had, only last month, been reprimanded by her party over comments about the farmers’ protest.

“The BJP has already cautioned her… to not issue a statement on sensitive issues. However, it seem she has not paid heed to the advice of her party’s high command,” he said.

READ | BJP Schools Actor-MP Kangana Ranaut Over Farmer Remarks

On the specific charge – that the Congress’ Himachal Pradesh government “takes loans and gives it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state’s finances hollow” – Mr Singh pointed out money from the central government, and the uses to which it is put, are properly audited.

“It is a defamatory statement and we condemn it. She should produce evidence in a week… if she doesn’t, and doesn’t apologise, we will file a criminal defamation case…” Mr Singh said.

On Sunday, launching a membership drive in her constituency, Ms Ranaut hit out at the Congress and attacked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

“Disasters and Congress have taken the state back decades… I appeal to the people to root out this government,” she said, “If we (the central government) gives disaster funds, it should go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund… but everyone knows that it goes to the ‘Sonia Relief Fund’.”

The actor-politician also took a dig at Vikramaditya Singh – her rival for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in the April-June general election. “The people are tired of potholes on roads… I would do more than possible for my area, but the PWD Minister should also do something as well,” she said.

Himachal Pradesh is battling a financial crisis inflamed by devastating landslides, flash floods, and heavy rain in August, last year and this. To combat this problem the Chief Minister last month said his cabinet colleagues and he would defer accepting salaries for two months.

READ | Crisis-Hit Himachal Chief Minister, Ministers Defer Salaries For 2 Months

“After discussing in the Cabinet, all members decided that till the state sees improvement… we will not take salary, TA or DA (Transport or Dearness Allowance) for two months. This is just a small amount… but it is symbolic. Apart from this, I also requested all the MLAs…” the Chief Minister told reporters.

The centre has offered financial assistance; in August last year it approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund, as advance aid. This was after the release of Rs 360.8 crore from its share of state funds. And, earlier, this year, the centre announced Rs 11,500 crore support; this will, though, be distributed among flood-affected states.

Meanwhile, Ms Ranaut, a fierce critic of the opposition and avid supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also made headlines for the legal battle over her new film ‘Emergency’.

READ | “But Creative Freedom?” Censor’s Deadline For Kangana’s ‘Emergency’

The movie is based on the political turmoil in 1975, when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister. It ran into trouble after Sikh organisations alleged it misrepresents their community, and arguments for and against its release are being heard by the Bombay High Court.

With input from agencies

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