Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Review: Skims Over Indira Gandhi’s Life

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ attempts to summarize the life of Indira Gandhi.
Key historical events like the 1975 Emergency are barely explored in depth.
Kangana’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi feels like a parody rather than a biographical portrayal.
Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik’s performances stand out, while Shreyas Talpade’s portrayal of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is underwhelming.
The pacing of the film is hurried, and many significant events are rushed through.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

1. Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ Overview
Kangana Ranaut’s movie Emergency strives to shed light on the key political and personal aspects of Indira Gandhi’s life. The film covers crucial moments such as the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the independence of Bangladesh, and the 1975 Emergency, but it never quite gets into the deeper socio-political implications of these events. The film tries to present a crash course on Indira Gandhi’s life, but this approach feels more like a summary than an exploration of one of India’s most complex political figures. Unfortunately, due to its rushed approach, much of the depth surrounding these events and their impact on Indian politics is lost.

2. The Portrayal of Indira Gandhi
Kangana’s depiction of Indira Gandhi receives mixed reactions. While she attempts to show Gandhi’s growth in Indian politics, her portrayal comes across as disjointed, with moments that seem more like a parody than a realistic portrayal of the prime minister. From a stilted voice to facial expressions that fail to capture the essence of Gandhi’s determination, the portrayal lacks the gravitas one would expect. The film does little to delve into her rise to power or the depth of her political journey. Instead, we are given brief highlights with no introspection into her motivations.

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3. Supporting Cast and Performances
While Kangana’s portrayal struggles, the film excels through the supporting cast. Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik give strong performances as prominent figures Jayaprakash Narayan and L.K. Advani. Their understated portrayals provide more clarity on the political landscape at the time. However, Shreyas Talpade’s portrayal of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is far less impactful, leaving much to be desired in capturing the essence of the respected politician.

4. Pacing and Storytelling Style
The film suffers from pacing issues. The constant jumping between events makes it difficult to stay invested in the broader story. At times, the audience is left with too many questions and not enough answers. For anyone unfamiliar with Indian political history, the film serves as more of a trivia game, where important facts are quickly flashed on the screen without exploring them in a meaningful way. The occasional musical scenes further disrupt the film’s serious tone, making it hard for the audience to remain immersed.

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5. Directorial Choices and Visual Elements
As a director, Kangana attempts to balance glorifying Indira Gandhi’s achievements while acknowledging her authoritarian tendencies. This leads to a contradictory approach to the film’s central character. The movie occasionally becomes confusing, with overly dramatic shots meant to accentuate moments of power. Kangana’s directorial style, although bold, results in an experience that feels unpolished, sometimes leaning toward excessive drama rather than thoughtful reflection.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Kangana Ranaut’s film attempts to showcase key events in Indira Gandhi’s life but lacks depth.
Her portrayal of Indira Gandhi feels forced and often parody-like.
Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik’s performances steal the show, while Shreyas Talpade falters as Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The pacing issues hinder the movie’s ability to explore important political moments in detail.