The much awaited biographical drama Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut, aims to illuminate the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Sadly, the movie falls short of its potential, providing a confused and shallow depiction of a significant period in Indian history.
Despite receiving conflicting reactions from reviewers and audiences, Emergency offers important insights into the process of producing a biographical film.
A Synopsis of Emergency
The film is portrayed as a moment in time during the contentious Emergency era (1975–77), when Indira Gandhi implemented authoritarian policies across the country in reaction to a developing political crisis.
As both the principal actress and the director, Kangana Ranaut maintains creative control throughout the movie.
Her choice to write the screenplay and produce the film, however, seems to have produced a biopic that is rife with dramatic excesses, historical mistakes, and liberties.
A Dramatic Misfire: Inaccuracies and Superficiality
One of the most noticeable issues with Emergency is its lack of depth.
The film is riddled with exaggerations that fail to do justice to the complexity of Indira Gandhi’s life and political career
. Instead of focusing on the nuances of the Emergency era, the screenplay takes a shallow, oversimplified approach that leaves little room for thoughtful analysis

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Early on in the movie, audiences are introduced to a young Indira Gandhi who battles with her identity and faces familial conflict.
This backstory, however, is given in a hurried manner, omitting important turning points in development and political awareness.
Any chance for a sincere emotional bond with the character is diminished by this hasty handling.
Excessive Dialogue and Characters
Important political personalities like Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Sanjay Gandhi are introduced in the movie, although their portrayals are frequently so satirical that they are ridiculous.
These larger-than-life characters, played by Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, and others, make speeches that seem out of place, relying heavily on dramatic flourishes rather than factual representation.
Additionally, Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi falls short of expectations. Instead of presenting her as the resolute, unyielding leader she was, the movie makes her seem unsure of herself and too sentimental.
This method significantly weakens the character, making her seem more like a political amateur than the powerful person who shaped India’s course for many years.
Crude Caricatures Colliding
Emergency feels more like a fictionalised rendition of events than a respected biographical account since it fails to strike a balance between drama and historical authenticity.
The movie frequently uses inflated emotions in place of facts, making viewers doubt its veracity.
In contrast to the strong, independent woman that history knows her as, Indira Gandhi is portrayed as a weak and vulnerable woman who is readily swayed by her son Sanjay Gandhi (played by Vishak Nair).
The movie also has trouble being historically accurate.
The film’s general impression of irregularity is exacerbated by the scene design, clothing, and other production elements, which appear clumsy at best.
Emergency Review: A Complicated Past in a Brief Amount of Time
In addition to starring in the movie, Kangana Ranaut also wrote and produced it, fusing historical events with a compelling narrative.
The film’s concept is promising, but it struggles to fit intricate political history into a two-and-a-half-hour running time, which results in a disjointed plot.
The screenplay by Ritesh Shah occasionally keeps viewers interested, but when it tries to cover too much territory, it falters.
Although the film’s narrative moves quickly, it frequently feels hurried and skips over important historical information that may have increased its effect.

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The tone of the drama fluctuates, and there are parts that seem disjointed. The movie proceeds slowly in the first half and quickly in the second half.
The section detailing the declaration of the Emergency and the events that follow is particularly gripping, but the climax doesn’t quite match the intensity built earlier. Despite these shortcomings, the film offers strong moments, especially for those familiar with India’s political history.
For those who aren’t, the film might feel confusing due to its reliance on prior knowledge of the Emergency and the political players involved.
The Box Office Challenge
Despite its historical significance and the powerhouse performance by Kangana Ranaut, Emergency faces challenges at the box office.
While the film is likely to gain critical acclaim for its strong performances and direction, its commercial success may be limited. The complex narrative and historical depth might appeal more to cinephiles and political drama enthusiasts rather than the general masses.
The film opened with a weak reception on its release day, despite low admission rates, indicating that its appeal may be more niche than mainstream.
However, those interested in Indian political history and biographical dramas are likely to appreciate Emergency’s thought-provoking take on this pivotal period.
Cinematography and Direction
The film is held together by Kangana Ranaut’s direction, which offers a novel viewpoint on a contentious chapter in Indian history.
Tetsuo Nagata’s cinematography supports the film’s aesthetic appeal while enhancing the political drama.
Although it may not be very well-known, the music by G.V. Prakash Kumar and Arko successfully matches the mood of the movie
. The scenes’ emotional depth is enhanced by the background music, which was composed by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara.
Production design and art direction are handled beautifully by Wasiq Khan and Rakesh Yadav, creating an immersive atmosphere that fits the period.
The prosthetic work by David Malinowski adds an extra layer of authenticity, helping the actors embody their respective historical characters.
Passed Up Chance for Historical Research
Emergency doesn’t provide a gripping story that faithfully captures the tumultuous political events of the 1970s, despite its well-known actors and audacious idea.
The film’s examination of the contentious Emergency era could have provided a chance to highlight a pivotal point in Indian political history, but it fails to do so by telling a confusing and fragmented tale.
Released on January 17, 2025, Emergency directed by Kangana Ranaut offers a dramatized retelling of the 1975 Emergency period declared by Indira Gandhi during her tenure as India’s Prime Minister.
The film chronicles her leadership prior to the Emergency, its 21-month duration, and the aftermath that changed India’s political landscape.
While the story is rich in historical significance, the film struggles with pacing and cohesiveness, offering a glimpse into an important chapter but falling short of delivering a seamless narrative.
Conclusion: The Best Way to Avoid Writing a Biographical Drama
In the end, Emergency provides an insightful lesson on how to approach historical biopics incorrectly. While the film attempts to cover significant political events, it struggles to present a well-rounded and fact-based perspective.
As a result, the movie is more about show than content. Audiences seeking a thoughtful, accurate portrayal of Indira Gandhi’s political legacy will likely leave disappointed by Emergency’s chaotic narrative and exaggerated performances.