Emergency Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut Reimagines Indira Gandhi’s Life in a Disjointed, Listicle-Style Narrative

Emergency Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut's Bold Attempt to Reimagine Indira Gandhi's Life Falls Short in a Fragmented Narrative

Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film Emergency, which attempts to reimagine the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, takes an ambitious yet disjointed approach to telling the story of one of India's most controversial political figures. While Ranaut’s portrayal of Gandhi as a leader during the 1975 Emergency period is undoubtedly daring, the film’s execution struggles to make a cohesive impact.

In Emergency, Ranaut wears multiple hats, not just as the star but also as the director, and it’s clear that she has a particular vision for the film. However, the narrative often feels more like a listicle, with events and important moments being presented in a rushed, almost checklist-like fashion rather than a deeply immersive storytelling experience. Key episodes in Gandhi’s life, from the controversial Emergency period to her relationship with political opponents, are reduced to bullet points rather than explored with the nuance and depth they deserve.

Kangana’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi is one of the film's stronger points. Her physical resemblance and intense portrayal capture the iron will of the leader, but it’s the emotional depth that feels lacking. The film doesn’t delve deeply into Gandhi’s inner world or provide a well-rounded look at her complexities. Instead, it skims over them, leaving the viewer to fill in the blanks.

The pacing of the film contributes further to its disjointed feel. Scenes rush past without lingering on the emotional beats, and key moments in history, such as the imposition of the Emergency, are presented in fragmented flashes rather than a seamless narrative. While it’s clear that Ranaut intended to create a dramatic retelling of this tumultuous time in Indian history, the film fails to bring out the weight and significance of these events in a meaningful way.

Despite its flaws, Emergency does provoke conversation. Its bold take on a period in Indian history that remains contentious to this day will spark debate, but whether it succeeds in changing the way we view Indira Gandhi's legacy remains questionable. Ultimately, the film is an attempt at reimagining history, but it falls short of delivering a powerful, coherent story worthy of its subject.