I watched the film ‘Emergency’ (2025)
recently on TV. This is the famous film made by Kangana Ranaut based on the
life of late PM Indira Gandhi, and had faced legal issues before its release
due to some scenes including the assassination scene.
I found the movie surprisingly good.
As compared to most of the other biopics on political figures, I found this one
extremely well made. Although, the film tries to capture historical events
which are numerous and hence it becomes a challenge to tell the “story” and
keep it about the protagonist and not get lost in the historical events. Due to
these challenges, I could feel that the pace of the film was slightly faster
than could have been. But I know it was near impossible to depict the enigmatic
life of late Indira Gandhi ji in a single film and Kangana Ranaut has done it
so well!
I remember all the controversies and
press reports at the time this movie was being released. I have anyway almost
stopped going to the theatres for watching movies and hence I had totally
skipped this one at the time it was released. Now I realise what I had missed.
But better be late than never and I am happy that I caught it on TV now.
It is very rare to lead a life which
late Indira Gandhi had led. Those days, our country was poor and not strong. It
is really incredible how our great Prime Ministers of those decades led our
country so well. Despite “Emergency” being the theme of this film, which is
considered a blot on the face of our democracy, the film does capture many more
important events from the history of our country which I have read about and
hence was able to relate well. Though I was not aware that Indira Gandhi was
arrested by the Janata Party led Govt at the centre and later released due to
public pressure. There are many more aspects shown in the film which I have
read in newspapers and magazine articles, and the film has very honestly shown
those without malice or political colouring. For example, the depiction of
Sanjay Gandhi and his role prior to and during the Emergency of 1975. Vishak
Nair, the actor who played the role of Sanjay Gandhi has given a really
remarkable performance. So has Milind Soman in the role of Army Chief Sam
Manekshaw. I was expecting this movie to be all about Kangana Ranaut, as the
Press often depicts her, but found that the film will be memorable due to many
such actors and characters, and not only for her.
It is very rare to remain relevant
and enigmatic all through our life. It is also very rare for one’s death to
match the enigmatic life one has led. Mahatma Gandhi had a glorious death
matching his life, and perhaps the other person would be Indira Gandhi. I was a
very small kid when she was killed, and I still remember the morning. I was at
my hometown, standing in front of our house, when the news had broken about her
death. I remember that my grandfather, father and uncles were all talking about
it. Like most noble families those days, I guess my grandfather and his family
were her supporters too. I have some visuals of that morning still in my mind.
It is said that kids smaller than 5 do not remember much from their childhood.
I don’t know how rare it is, but I have vivid memories of that day. It is a
shame that this great film was marred into controversy for depicting her
assassination which is very sensibly covered.
This film has tried to depict the
complex personality and psychology of Indira Gandhi. I have read many articles
where journalists and authors have written that it was very difficult to
characterise her. She was not a simple person. And this film has attempted a
near impossible task of capturing some of the complexities of her mind and her
life. The movie makers get full credit for it.
I highly recommend this film for one
and all. And I wish our nation is slightly grateful for the great political
leaders we have had in the past.
- Rahul
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