Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut has strongly criticized the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) demand for a ban on her latest film, Emergency, and its restricted screenings in parts of Punjab. In a social media post on Friday, the actor-director described the move as a “complete harassment of art and the artist.”
On Thursday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urging for the film’s ban, citing concerns about its portrayal of the Sikh community. This led to multiple cinemas in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda halting screenings of Emergency. Police were also deployed outside several malls and cinemas to maintain order amid protests from SGPC members.
Ranaut Responds to the Allegations
In her post on X, Kangana Ranaut expressed her disappointment over the developments, calling the ban a “complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film.” The actress, who plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Emergency, also emphasized her respect for all religions, stating that she had grown up in Chandigarh and closely followed Sikhism. She rejected accusations that the film misrepresents the Sikh community.
Ranaut wrote: “This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened. I have utmost respect for all religions… This is a complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film #Emergency.”
Congress MLA Joins SGPC’s Call for Ban
Ranaut’s post came in response to a tweet by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who voiced support for the SGPC’s call for a ban on Emergency. Khaira criticized Ranaut for being a vocal critic of farmers and Sikhs, claiming that she had no understanding of their contributions to the nation. He stated that SGPC is the elected body representing the Sikh community and urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take immediate action to ban the film, which he alleged defames Sikhs and Punjab.
The Controversy Surrounding Emergency‘s Release
The political drama, which focuses on the 21-month period of Emergency in India from 1975 to 1977, has faced significant controversy. Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi and the depiction of historical events during that time, particularly concerning the Sikh community, have sparked strong objections. In August 2024, the SGPC sent a legal notice to the film’s producers, accusing them of misrepresenting Sikh history and demanding the removal of scenes they deemed “anti-Sikh.”
Despite the controversy, Emergency was finally released across India on Friday after several delays and amid protests in Punjab. The film’s release has been marred by ongoing tension between political and religious groups over its content.
Ranaut Defends the Film’s Integrity
Kangana Ranaut has remained resolute in defending her film and her portrayal of Indira Gandhi. She continues to argue that the objections raised are politically motivated and that her work is an attempt to explore a significant chapter in Indian history, not to disrespect any community. Her strong stance on freedom of expression and artistic rights has placed her at the center of a larger debate about censorship, political influence, and the role of cinema in addressing sensitive issues.
