Kangana Ranaut’s directorial debut, Emergency, may have struggled at the box office upon its theatrical release earlier this year, but it has been receiving positive feedback since premiering on Netflix India.
On Sunday, Kangana took to Instagram Stories to respond to fan appreciation. A viewer suggested that Emergency should be India’s official entry to the Oscars, writing, “#EmergencyOnNetflix should go for the Oscars from India. Kangana, what a film.” The actress-filmmaker reposted the message, dismissing the Academy Awards and accusing the U.S. of suppressing developing nations. She wrote, “But America wouldn’t like to acknowledge its real face—how they bully, suppress, and arm-twist developing nations. It’s been exposed in Emergency. They can keep their silly Oscar. We have National Awards.”
Released on January 17, Emergency features Kangana in the lead role as former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Besides portraying Gandhi, she also directed the film, which delves into the 21-month Emergency period imposed by the leader between 1975 and 1977—a time often referred to as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history.
The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mahima Chaudhry as Pupul Jayakar, Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi.
Emergency received mixed reviews from critics. News18 Showsha gave it a 3-star rating, highlighting its ambitious scope but critiquing its pacing. “While Emergency ambitiously spans multiple events, its structure leaves much to be desired. The first half feels stretched, while the post-interval portions seem rushed. Scenes like Gandhi’s self-comparison to an old devil feel distasteful and unnecessary,” the review noted.
However, Kangana’s performance earned praise. “Her portrayal of Indira Gandhi is nuanced and commendable. Her meticulous attention to Gandhi’s mannerisms and demeanour showcases her acting prowess, reaffirming why she is regarded as one of the most talented actresses in the industry,” the review added.
Despite the appreciation, Emergency underperformed at the box office, earning ₹17 crore in India.
