Kangana Ranaut Clarifies 'Emergency' is Not a Political Film, Won't Affect Voter Choices

Actress-director Kangana Ranaut, who will essay the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, in her next directorial, 'Emergency', says that the film isn't a political movie, and no politics would come through from there, in regard to affecting how one decides at the ballot.

Actress recently spoke with IANS about the film; she opened up about the film and its narrative structure. The film is based on the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across the country by citing internal and external threats to the country.

Earlier, 'The Sabarmati Report' was tax-free in all the states. Do you expect the same with 'Emergency'?

Kangana said, "Actually, this is not a political film. It's a story. It has nothing to do with politics. You may find it very bizarre right now. Eventually, it is not about any party. You will come out feeling that you just saw the film, you won't come out feeling who you will vote for. You were only enlightened about that episode. If you see 'Argo' in Hollywood, you don't come out thinking who to vote or who not to vote for. You simply come out being enlightened by one episode, only that chunk of history. That's it. I believe that if people see it in that light, they will not be disappointed. If one thinks they can decide whom to vote for and whom not to vote for, then that's not the film for them.

How have the audience and the content ecosystem changed all these years?

The actress said, "There was a film, 'Kissa Kursi Ka' which was made on Mrs. Gandhi, the director of the film had to commit suicide. So, there was that era, and there is today's era. People should watch and understand, what was the actual situation? Why did it happen? What happened? What were the consequences after that? So, this is a great opportunity.". And I think they will come out in large numbers to understand this.

Now, you have additional responsibility on your shoulders. You are an MP as well. You belong to the BJP also. Elections are there to Delhi. So, after the 'Emergency' are you going there for campaign?

Definitely. They keep sending me to the party. They had sent me campaigning during Maharashtra Elections also.

They will send me to Delhi also. Even I was not in the party at that time also, I used to promote that party. So when we are in an ideological union, we don't have any responsibility to the party. We always promote them".

'Emergency' To release on 17th Jan in theaters.