The Tale of Two Movies: ‘Emergency’ & ‘Panjab ’95’

The Kangana Ranaut movie Emergency, costing USD 6.9M released on 17 Jan and has earned USD 1.7M until Day 4 with occupancy in theatres at 7.1%. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had earlier sent a legal notice to the movie makers saying it misrepresented Sikhs (WD Vol 2, Issue 36, Story 4). For example, the role of SAD in opposing the Emergency (1975-1977), not compromising with former PM Indira Gandhi, and the courting of thousands of arrests are historical facts. The movie does not even show it, let alone mention these events. SGPC has requested Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to prohibit the movie screening in Panjab. Ranaut denounced the ban as ‘complete harassment of art and the artist,’ asserting her respect for all religions. Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh's biopic Panjab ’95, centered on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who was abducted and extra judicially killed in 1995, is navigating censorship challenges. Initially facing 85 and then over 120 proposed cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification, the movie’s producers rejected requests to alter its title and content. On 18 Jan, the protagonist of the movie Diljit Dosanjh posted the movie trailer announcing its international release on 7 Feb, bypassing Indian theaters. Dosanjh emphasized the film’s commitment to truth and honoring Khalra's legacy. Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra stated, ‘It was our commitment that the film should be released without cuts.’ On 20 Jan, the movie’s director Honey Trehan posted a cryptic message expressing regret to viewers and saying the film will not release 7 Feb. No explanation was given but the reasons can be surmised from the tough struggle the film has faced since it went for certification in 2022 (WD Vol 2, Issue 30, Story 9).