The Central Board of Film Certification on September 30 informed the Bombay high court that actress-director-producer and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut had agreed to most of the changes its revising committee had recommended for Emergency. She had, however, suggested a few revisions, the CBFC added. The Board explained that it was considering the suggestions given by the producer and would get back to the court on October 3 with its decision.
Division bench of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla was hearing a plea by the film’s other producer, Zee Studios, which alleged that the CBFC “illegally” and “arbitrarily” withheld certification to the film. The advocate of Zee told the court that its partner in production, Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films, had had a meeting with the CBFC. He added, Zee was informed that Manikarnika Films had agreed with the changes and cuts offered to the film.
It may be mentioned here that the total cuts offered were of less than 1 minute of running time.
The Zee team had also claimed a “political angle” for the delay in the film’s certification since elections in Haryana were scheduled for October 5.
It may be recalled that Emergency had attracted protests from Sikh groups concerning the portrayal of their community. The CBFC told the court that its decision was made “after considering the representations received from various Sikh groups and directives issued by courts”.