Kangana Ranaut: I would love to direct a film with Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir Khan

The trailer for ‘Emergency’, Ranaut’s latest directorial in which stars as Indira Gandhi, was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 14

Kangana Ranaut said she was drawn to the “Shakespearean tragedy” of Indira Gandhi’s life and political career, particularly her missteps during the 1975 Emergency that tainted her legacy as the third Prime Minister of India. The period from 25 June, 1975 to 21 March, 1977, dubbed the “darkest chapter of Indian democracy”, is the subject of Ranaut’s forthcoming political drama, Emergency. Besides starring in the leading role of Indira Gandhi, Ranaut has also directed, co-written and produced the film, which is set to hit theatres on September 6.

The trailer for Emergency was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 14. Speaking at the launch event, Ranaut said: “Mrs Gandhi once referred to the Emergency as a ferocious beast that she was riding, but one that would eat her alive if she dismounted. How a conscientious individual, under the influence of their ego, takes certain steps and how they can never draw back from it without paying a price became a big inspiration for me.”

Ranaut’s film, her second directorial attempt after Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), details the turmoil and repression of the Emergency years. A resolute and adamant Indira Gandhi, under siege from all sides, is shown jailing her political opponents and critics, scuttling her own cabinet and severely cracking down on press and civil liberties.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher takes on the role of socialist leader and Mrs. Gandhi’s political challenger, Jayaprakash Narayan. Other notable names include Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Milind Soman as Sam Manekshaw, late actor Satish Kaushik as Jagjivan Ram and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi. Mahima Chaudhry, making her comeback to films after eight years, stars as Pupul Jayakar, a cultural activist and Indira Gandhi’s close confidante.

Ranaut thanked her cast for their faith in the film. “Everybody knows I have been boycotted by the industry,” she said. “It’s not easy to stand with me, it’s not easy to do my film, and it’s most definitely not easy to praise me.” She also thanked her mentor, veteran screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, for guiding and inspiring her through the project.

Anupam Kher called JP Narayan one of his heroes during his formative years. Kher was a young drama school student in Delhi in the mid-70s when Emergency was declared.

“JP Narayan was the hope of the youth and the country to fight against this oppression,” Kher recalled. “When Kangana reached me for this part, I was already wanting to play someone who had contributed so much. Unfortunately, as life moves forward, we tend to forget our heroes.”