Punjab on Friday woke up to a day of anticipation and chaos as the curtains refused to rise on Bollywood actor-cum-parliamentarian Kangana Ranaut’s much-publicized political drama ‘Emergency’. Eager moviegoers, some of whom had queued outside cinemas for the ‘first day, first show’, were met with disappointment as theaters across the State abruptly canceled screenings. The movie, a bold retelling of the turbulent 21-month Emergency — from 1975-1977 — imposed under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, faced fierce backlash from Sikh organizations, led by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which alleged that the film distorted history and vilified the Sikh community.
Instead of rolling credits, the streets outside theaters turned into protest grounds. Demonstrators waving black flags, carrying placards, and shouting slogans such as “Boycott Emergency” and “Ban Emergency” crowded major city centers in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Barnala, Mansa, Moga and Jalandhar. By mid-morning, theater owners across the State had voluntarily decided to pull the film from their schedules, with many citing security concerns.
The movie was scheduled to be showcased in 70 to 80 theaters of the PVR Group, but following the protests, it never made it to these screens. Security was beefed up and heavy police force was deployed outside the multiplexes, malls, and theatres to prevent escalations, but the protests remained largely peaceful. In Ludhiana and Amritsar, theater managers publicly announced the cancellation of Emergency screenings.
The film, which promised to be a box-office hit, was unable to make its Punjab debut, casting a shadow over its nationwide release — leaving Ranaut decrying the incident as “harassment of art and the artist”.
‘Emergency’, directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, sought to dramatize the events of 1975-77 — a period when civil liberties were suspended, opposition leaders imprisoned, and press freedom curtailed. The film’s portrayal of Sikh resistance during the Emergency, however, sparked outrage among Sikh groups. The SGPC accused the movie of perpetuating stereotypes, portraying Sikhs as extremists and distorting historical events.
The controversy primarily centers around the depiction of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent Sikh leader of the late 20th century. According to SGPC leaders, the film wrongfully insinuated that Bhindranwale was complicit in Congress-led political strategies during the Emergency. “This narrative is both misleading and insulting,” said SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, adding, “Our history is one of resilience and peaceful protest, not manipulation.”
The SGPC’s objections extend to the omission of key Sikh contributions during the Emergency. The teaser released on August 14, 2024, sparked controversy by depicting Bhindranwale as being in cahoots with Indira Gandhi, allegedly promising to secure votes for the Congress in exchange for the creation of a separate Sikh state — the portrayal was deemed “offensive” and deeply damaging to the Sikh community's image.
Contesting the narrative, SGPC emphasized that Bhindranwale had no connection to such events and was not even part of the political scene at the time. They clarified that Bhindranwale only became the chief of Damdami Taksal in 1977, following the passing of Kartar Singh. “The film conveniently excluded the peaceful protests led by Sikhs and instead portrayed Bhindranwale — who had no role during that period — as a representative of the Sikh community in a negative and misleading light,” said SGPC. They further accused the filmmakers of launching a politically-motivated attempt to tarnish the Sikh community by presenting them as disruptors of peace and anti-national elements.
In reality, Punjab's leaders, particularly Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) figures like Parkash Singh Badal and Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had peacefully opposed Indira Gandhi's decision to impose Emergency. They organized non-violent protests and voluntarily courted arrests to register their dissent, said SGPC.
“We approached both the state and central governments to halt this film, but no action was taken,” said SGPC spokesperson Partap Singh. The SGPC, considered as Sikhs’ mini parliament, had also submitted memorandums to district authorities and wrote to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging him to ban the film across the State.
Meanwhile, the SGPC has vowed to escalate its protests if the film is not withdrawn. “Our resolution is clear: this movie must not be allowed to spread lies and misinformation,” said Dhami.
Protests Erupts Across Punjab
On the morning of the release, cinema owners across Punjab were caught in a dilemma. While advance bookings had hinted at a strong opening, calls from local authorities and community leaders urged them to reconsider screening the film. By 9 am, major multiplexes in Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Chandigarh began issuing refunds.
“We received verbal warnings from local groups that demonstrations might disrupt business,” said a theater manager in Ludhiana. “We couldn’t risk the safety of our staff and patrons.” Outside, the situation grew tense as protestors gathered, holding placards and chanting slogans. Despite a heavy police presence, the atmosphere was charged, with demonstrators vowing to escalate their agitation if the screenings were not canceled. In Amritsar, a crowd of over 500 protestors marched from the Golden Temple to the city’s main cinema hub. Their placards bore messages such as “Stop Distorting Sikh History” and “Respect Our Martyrs”. Similar scenes played out in Mohali, where protestors blocked entry to a multiplex, forcing the management to declare an indefinite suspension of the film.
Kangana Ranaut’s Response
Ranaut, who not only directed and produced ‘Emergency’ but also starred as Indira Gandhi, reacted sharply to the protests. Taking to social media, the BJP MP from Mandi described the cancellation of screenings as a “deliberate attack on creative freedom”. She called the cancellation of screenings a "propaganda" effort designed to harm her reputation and the film’s prospects. “This is complete harassment of art and the artist,” she added.
“Theaters shutting down screenings under pressure is a blow to democracy,” Ranaut wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Art should provoke thought, not violence. I have the utmost respect for all religions, especially Sikhism, which I’ve admired since my childhood in Chandigarh." Her post, however, failed to assuage critics. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira accused Ranaut of hypocrisy, pointing out her earlier criticisms of Sikh farmers during the 2020 protests against farm laws. “Punjab’s Chief Minister should immediately ban this film that depicts Sikhs in a derogatory manner,” Khaira tweeted.
Political Fallout
The controversy surrounding ‘Emergency’ has ignited a political debate in Punjab. While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has remained largely silent, local leaders hinted at their concern over potential communal unrest. “We are monitoring the situation closely,” said Aman Arora, AAP’s Punjab unit president, adding, “Our primary responsibility is to maintain peace.”
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP have also weighed in, with SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia urging the State Government to ban the film. “This movie is not just an insult to Sikhs; it’s an attempt to disturb Punjab’s fragile peace,” he said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders criticized the protests, accusing the SGPC of politicizing a cultural issue. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), led by Simranjit Singh Mann, also opposed the film.
Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa also demanded a ban on the movie “not only in Punjab but across the entire country. It distorts historical facts and promotes a biased narrative aimed at creating division and hatred among communities. Such propaganda-driven content serves the vested interests of a few at the cost of national harmony. We cannot allow history to be misrepresented or used as a tool to incite unrest. For the sake of unity and peace in the nation, this movie should not be screened anywhere,” he demanded.
Censorship and Legal Battles
Even before its release, ‘Emergency’ faced challenges from Sikh organizations. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded over 20 edits following objections raised by religious and community groups. While some scenes, including those depicting foreign leaders’ involvement during the Emergency, were modified, key contentious elements remained unchanged. The SGPC expressed disappointment over the CBFC’s handling of the issue. “We were assured that our concerns would be addressed, but the final cut shows no regard for Sikh sentiments,” said SGPC spokesperson Partap Singh. The organization is now considering legal action to secure a statewide ban on the film.
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No Official Ban by Punjab Govt; Theatre Owners Opt Out of Screening
In a surprising development, cinema owners across Punjab have decided not to screen Kangana Ranaut’s political drama ‘Emergency’, even though the film was released nationwide on Friday. Contrary to speculation, the official sources have confirmed The Pioneer that the Punjab Government has not imposed any ban on the film.
The decision by theatre owners is seen as a precautionary move amidst growing protests and calls for a ban from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The SGPC had, a day before, written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging the state authorities to block the film’s release, alleging that it distorts history and disrespects Sikh sentiments. However, a government official maintained that no official orders have been issued to restrict the film release and no ban has been announced.
Despite the lack of government intervention, cinema owners across the State have chosen not to screen ‘Emergency’, reportedly to avoid any potential law and order issues. “Theatre operators made this decision voluntarily, likely to prevent controversy. The administration has not directed or pressured them in any way,” the government official said. While the movie is being screened across the rest of India, Punjab’s cinema halls remain an exception, reflecting the theatre owners’ cautious stance amid the ongoing controversy.
