The release of Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency has hit yet another roadblock, with fresh allegations accusing the actress-director of defaming the Sikh community. On Wednesday, a district court in Chandigarh issued a notice to Kangana regarding the film, following a petition filed by advocate Ravinder Singh Bassi, a former president of the District Bar Association.

Bassi’s plea alleges that Emergency, which is set during the period of political unrest in India under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, contains false claims about the Sikh community, tarnishing its image. He urged the court to register a formal case against Kangana, who not only stars as Indira Gandhi but also directs the film. The court is expected to address the matter on December 5.

This legal challenge follows earlier criticism from the Shiromani Akali Dal, which accused Emergency of distorting historical facts and misrepresenting the Sikh community.

In response to the mounting criticism, Kangana addressed the situation during the News18 India Chaupal event, where she defended her film. She emphasized that Emergency had been thoroughly vetted by historians and received certification from the censor board. “It is our history which has been intentionally hidden. We are not told about this,” Kangana stated, while acknowledging the controversy surrounding certain historical figures. She mentioned that she had also received threats regarding the film.

The film, which was initially slated for release on September 6, has faced repeated delays due to these ongoing challenges.