Rating: 2/5
Overview:
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency, a biographical political drama portraying the controversial Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1975–1977), aimed to explore the complex dynamics of power and freedom. Despite its ambitious premise and Kangana’s bold portrayal of Gandhi, the film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike.
What a review of #Emergency ! This guy is brilliant. Must hear.#EmergencyReview pic.twitter.com/cuhiVXmMig
— Diptangshu Chaudhury (@ColDiptangshu) January 17, 2025
Critical Reception:
Critics have widely criticized the film for its lack of narrative cohesion and depth. Dhaval Roy from the Times of India awarded it 2.5/5 stars, calling it “overly dramatized and lacking fluidity,” while NDTV’s Saibal Chatterjee gave it 1.5/5, labeling it a “monumental muddle” with superficial storytelling
The CGI and historical recreations were also flagged as substandard by several reviewers, detracting from the immersive experience the film hoped to deliver.
Emergency Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut Shines as Indira Gandhi, But the Film Fails to Deliver!
— Box Office Worldwide (@BOWorldwide) January 17, 2025
Critics Rating: 2/5
Box Office Rating: 1.5/5https://t.co/T9HlI5WEZV@KanganaTeam #KanganaRanaut
Performances:
Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi garnered polarized opinions. While some appreciated her commanding screen presence and dedication to a challenging role, others found her performance to lack nuance and subtlety. Supporting roles, including those by Shreyas Talpade and Anupam Kher, were underutilized and failed to leave a lasting impression.
Audience Response:
Social media reactions were divided, with many appreciating the film’s effort to revisit a significant chapter in Indian history. However, viewers echoed criticisms of weak scripting and a lack of emotional depth. Public discourse focused more on the film’s polarizing nature than its artistic merit.
Conclusion:
Emergency stands as a bold attempt to shed light on India’s political history but falls short of achieving the depth and engagement required for a lasting impact. While it has sparked debate and conversation, it remains a missed opportunity to craft a compelling cinematic experience.