Film: Emergency
Rating: 2/5
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman, Satish Kaushik, etc.
Cinematography: Tetsuo Nagata
Edited by: Rameshwar S. Bhagat
Songs Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar, Arko
Background Score: Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara
Produced by: ZEE Studios, Kangana Ranaut, Renu Pitti
Directed by: Kangana Ranaut
Release Date: 17 Jan 2025
Emergency, the movie set against the backdrop of Indira Gandhi's Emergency days (1975-1977), faced several setbacks before finally hitting the screens today.
Let’s delve into what it offers.
Story:
The story begins with a childhood scene of Indira Gandhi in Anand Bhavan in 1929. Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, calls the shots within the family.
She restricts Kamala Nehru, Indira’s mother (who is suffering from tuberculosis), to her quarters and ill-treats Indira.
Seeking solace, young Indira learns about the essence of power from her grandfather, Motilal Nehru. This interaction sows the seeds of ambition in her mind.
The narrative moves through Indira’s journey, from the deaths of Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri to her becoming Prime Minister.
It highlights key moments such as the liberation of Bangladesh from West Pakistan, where Mujibur Rahman hails her as "Mother Indira." However, before the war, Indira’s failed attempts to secure support from the USA and France are depicted.
The film then focuses on Sanjay Gandhi's authoritarian acts and Indira’s eventual downfall as she loses power to the Janata Dal.
The narrative touches upon Sanjay's infamous sterilization drive and his dominance in decision-making, portraying him as the de facto Prime Minister.
The story concludes with the death of Sanjay Gandhi, Operation Blue Star, and Indira’s assassination by her bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh.
Artistes’ Performances:
Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi deserves a standing ovation. She meticulously captures Indira’s mannerisms.
Vishak Nair excels as Sanjay Gandhi, transitioning seamlessly from a spoiled brat to a power-mongering son.
Shreyas Talpade, as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, impresses in his role as a politician with ideals and poetic inclinations.
Anupam Kher, as Jayaprakash Narayan, delivers a balanced performance. Milind Soman’s introduction as Sam Manekshaw is impactful.
Mahima Chaudhry, as Indira’s confidante Pupul Jayakar, has limited screen presence, and her aged makeup makes her hard to recognize. Satish Kaushik is perfectly cast as Jagjivan Ram.
Brief appearances by Rajiv Gandhi, childhood Priyanka and Rahul, and a mute Sonia Gandhi are included but add little depth.
Technical Excellence:
The film’s strengths lie in its casting, direction, and makeup. The art direction and minimal use of graphics complement the period setting.
The music is passable. While "Ae Meri Jaan" resonates emotionally in a montage, "Singhasan Khali Karo" feels misplaced and overly dramatic when performed by historical characters.
Production values, editing, and cinematography are excellent, with Tetsuo Nagata’s work standing out.
Highlights:
Kangana Ranaut’s performance
Casting and makeup
Art direction
Drawbacks:
Weak writing
Contrived second half
Flat climax
Analysis:
The narrative attempts to blend history with drama but falls short in delivering a cohesive emotional experience. Indira Gandhi is portrayed as a vulnerable mother overshadowed by her power-hungry son, which oversimplifies her legacy. Her portrayal lacks the depth and complexity of the Iron Lady image she is known for, reducing her to a power-seeking figure who later succumbs to guilt when not in power, but takes wrong decision again when comes back to power.
Key moments, such as her emotional reaction to Sanjay Gandhi’s death, feel exaggerated and fail to capture the gravity of her character. The climax, focusing on her assassination, is rushed and lacks emotional impact.
A scene where he critiques Indira Gandhi’s nuclear test at Pokhran subtly reminds viewers of Vajpayee’s own similar action during his tenure.
The scene where Indira, Manekshaw, and others sing a song before the Bangladesh war feels unrealistic and detracts from the narrative's seriousness.
While the film touches upon significant events in Indira’s life, it feels more like a documentary stitched together with glimpses of her life rather than a gripping emotional biopic. Neither does it glorify her enough to please Congress supporters, nor does it offer any substantial criticism to appeal to BJP audiences.
An impressive performance by Kangana Ranaut is the film’s only saving grace. However, the weak writing and inconsistent narrative fail to do justice to Indira Gandhi’s legacy. Audiences may not feel any urgency to watch Emergency.
Bottom Line: No Urgency
