Bombay High Court Criticizes CBFC for Delaying Kangana Ranaut’s “Emergency” Release Over Censorship Concerns

The Bombay High Court has emphasized that creative freedom and freedom of expression cannot be stifled, criticizing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for delaying the certification of Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency. According to PTI, the court expressed its frustration over the CBFC’s indecision and ordered that a certification decision must be made by September 25.

A division bench, consisting of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, questioned the CBFC’s hesitance, remarking that the board cannot refuse certification simply due to concerns over potential law and order issues. The court further asked if the CBFC considered the Indian public naive enough to believe everything portrayed in films.

The delay has led to accusations of political interference, with Emergency’s co-producer and director, Kangana Ranaut, who also plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, accusing the CBFC of postponing certification to prevent the film’s timely release. Ranaut, a sitting BJP MP, faced objections from Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, over the film’s portrayal of historical events.

Zee Entertainment, the film’s co-producer, filed a petition urging the CBFC to issue a certificate for Emergency. Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, representing Zee, argued that the delay was politically motivated, with elections in Haryana fast approaching. The CBFC’s counsel, Abhinav Chandrachud, responded that the film had been referred to the revising committee due to concerns over public unrest.

However, the High Court expressed disappointment with the CBFC’s actions, accusing the board of passing responsibility between departments and failing to meet deadlines. The court reiterated that it is not the CBFC’s role to predict law and order problems, stating that such delays hinder artistic and creative expression. The case remains ongoing, with a final certification decision due by September 25.

During the hearing regarding the delayed certification of Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, the Bombay High Court questioned whether there was a political motive behind the delay. The bench asked if the petitioner was implying that the ruling party, BJP, was acting against one of its own members, as Kangana Ranaut, the film’s co-producer and lead actress, is also a BJP MP.

“The co-producer herself is a BJP MP and part of the ruling party. Are you suggesting her own party is against her?” the court asked. In response, senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, representing Zee Entertainment, argued that the ruling party was willing to risk displeasing a sitting parliamentarian in order to appease a particular section of society.

Zee Entertainment, in its plea, claimed that the CBFC had already prepared the certification for the movie but was deliberately withholding its issuance, contributing to the delay in the film’s release. This situation has fueled further speculation regarding political interference in the film’s certification process.