Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut recently spoke about the hard fall-out of her film Emergency going ahead she had to sell off a significant chunk of her personal property. According to reports, Kangana’s bungalow in the swish Pali Hill area of Bandra, Mumbai, was sold for ₹32 crore. The bungalow was sold to a third party in 2017 for ₹20.7 crore. It was once the headquarters of Kangana’s production house, Manikarnika Films.
The delay of Emergency, her much-awaited directorial, which explores the controversial 21-month Emergency period imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Her film was initially slated for September 6, but it faced the surprising obstacle of delays in receiving its certification from CBFC. Kangana, who also played Indira Gandhi in the political drama, confessed during her appearance on News 18 Chaupal that she had “staked her personal property” on the film’s timely release. But with the film stuck in limbo, selling the property became an inevitable move.
The Real Cost of Cinema
Kangana’s admission that she sold her bungalow speaks of the financial risks filmmakers often undertake. “I had staked my personal property on this film, which was supposed to come in theatres. Now it is not releasing, so the property is there to be sold off in difficult times,” said Kangana, seeking words to grasp how creative professionals sometimes have to take the toughest decisions.
Her Pali Hill bungalow, which she bought in 2017, already had her share of controversy when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation partially demolished the building in 2020 on charges of structural violations. Kangana fought the demolition but later withdrew her demand for compensation not wanting to “burden taxpayers.”
Yet Kangana does not relent. She writes this writer on X (formerly Twitter) on the day Emergency is expected to hit the cinemas: “I have rather heavy news to share with all of you. I wanted it that we were going to announce the new release date soon but sadly that shall not be possible. Don’t worry, love, everything is in control, and we will see this beautiful film’s light of day.”
Controversies and Court Cases
Emergency has been stuck in legal battles for months, with Sikh bodies, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, accusing the film of mishandling. Protests against Kangana and the film have erupted in the Punjab, where her effigies were burned. Undeterred, although she concedes: “No one from the industry came out to speak for me. I feel I’m entirely all by myself.”.
The legal drama does not end here. Co-producer of Emergency, Zee Entertainment Enterprises approached the Bombay High Court when allegedly the CBFC withheld the censor certificate. The Bombay High Court said it cannot interfere with the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court; however, it did urge the CBFC to take a decision before September 18. Though the film has now been certified with cuts, a new release date remains elusive.
Kangana’s Demand for OTT Censorship
Kangana also narrated her worries regarding the kind of content that is being put out on OTT platforms, demanding strict censorship as she apprised viewers of the delay in the certification of her film. “Today, we’re at a stage with technology where the Censor board has become a redundant body. We need to rethink.”. They need to be censored the most,” she said, voicing her concern over how easy it has become to access objectionable content online. “We argue so much with the censor board but look at the kind of content available on OTT. It is a matter of grave concern.”
What’s Next for Emergency?
Meanwhile, while Kangana’s legal battles continue, the film’s future looks uncertain. With an interesting ensemble including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, and Milind Soman, Emergency promises to be another high-voltage retelling of one of India’s most controversial political chapters. Fans and critics alike wait in anticipation for the next announcement.
With Kangana undeterred, no amount of controversy, financial strain, and legal battles seems to budge her even for a moment. She charges right into it headstrong-even with the storm around Emergency-unyielding to its vision. “That’s what properties are for times of crisis,” Kangana herself said.
Source: Hindustan Times
