Emergency release: Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film ‘Emergency’ has finally cleared a significant hurdle, as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted it a censor certificate. After facing delays and legal issues, the Bollywood actress shared the news on her Instagram Stories, expressing her relief.

“We have received the certificate for our movie ‘Emergency’. We will be announcing the release date soon. Thank you for your patience and support,” she wrote, tagging her production house Manikarnika Films, Zee Studios, and producer Nishant Pitti. 

Why Emergency’s censor clearance was delayed

The film, which centers around the controversial ‘Emergency’ period in India under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has been under scrutiny. The portrayal of Gandhi, especially her assassination by her own bodyguards, has sparked debates, leading to objections from certain groups. Last month, the Bombay High Court directed the CBFC to address concerns raised by Sikh organisations, which had issues with the film’s September 6 release date. 

Following this, the CBFC’s examining committee reviewed the movie and cleared it for a ‘UA’ certificate, but with conditions. The filmmakers were required to make three edits and provide credible sources for some of the more sensitive historical statements depicted in the film. According to reports, one of the suggested cuts was a scene involving Pakistani soldiers attacking Bangladeshi refugees, which was either to be removed or altered. 

About Emergency

‘Emergency’, directed by Kangana herself, focuses on the period between 1975-1977, when civil rights and press freedom in India were severely restricted.  

In the film, Kangana portrays Indira Gandhi, while the star-studded cast includes Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahim Chaudhary, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, and Vishak Nair. The screenplay is written by Ritesh Shah, and this film marks Kangana’s second directorial venture after the 2019 release ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.’ 

A contract of ₹ 25 lakh was taken out to kill actor Salman Khan near his farmhouse in Maharashtra’s Panvel, a chargesheet filed by the Navi Mumbai Police stated.

In the chargesheet that named five people, police stated that the contract was taken out by the gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The accused were preparing to buy state-of-the-art weapons AK 47, AK 92 and M 16 from Pakistan and the Turkish-made Zigana weapon, with which Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was killed. The accused had hired boys below 18 years of age to kill Salman Khan, all of whom are hiding in Pune, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Gujarat.

About 60 to 70 people were keeping track of Salman Khan’s movement, especially at his Bandra house, Panvel farmhouse and Goregaon Film City. Further, the plan to kill Salman Khan was hatched between August 2023 and April 2024, as per the chargesheet.

Investigation revealed that Sukkha who was arrested from Haryana’s Panipat on Thursday, assigned the hit to the designated shooter Ajay Kashyap alias AK and four others involved in the conspiracy. A recce by Kashyap and his team led to the conclusion that owing to the actor’s tight security and bulletproof vehicles, high-end weapons would be required to carry out the murder.

Sukkha contacted Pakistan-based arms dealer Dogar through video call, showing AK-47 and other advanced fire arms wrapped in a shawl, while negotiating the terms of the arms deal. Dogar agreed to supply the weapons, while Sukha agreed to make 50 percent advance payment and the remaining amount on delivery in India.

Police also found that all the shooters were waiting for a go-ahead from Canada-based gangster Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol Bishnoi.

The chargesheet also details a plan made by the shooters to gather in Kanyakumari after shooting the 58-year-old actor, from where they would travel to Sri Lanka by boat and then to a country where Indian investigation agencies could not reach them.

The conspiracy to target Salman Khan at his Panvel farmhouse was unearthed when the police was investigation the incident of firing outside his house in Bandra.

Meanwhile, security has been increased outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence following the killing of former minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique. The latter, a former MLA from Bandra and leader in Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who had cancelled all his meetings and work commitments for a few days after the death of his close friend and Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique, will not halt the shoot of his upcoming film Sikandar. Several news reports have stated that the actor, who has received death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi gang, will shoot with beefed up security.

8-10 personnel have been added to his security and they come for recce before he arrives on sets.

A source informed the portal, “Abhi 1-2 din ka schedule aage peeche hua tha, but nothing major. Aage bhi suna hai ki schedule might get affected but not much. If shooting was earlier expected to finish by November or December, it will, at max, finish by January. But everyone’s safety is the priority right now.”

However, it is still not clear if the actor will shoot for the Weekend Ka Vaar episode of Bigg Boss 18. On October 12, soon after the news of Siddique’s death surfaced, Salman reportedly left the sets of the reality show and rushed to Lilavati Hopital where the politician was admitted.

Salman Khan’s security heightened

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government recently heightened his security almost two years after it was upgraded to the Y+ category.

According to media reports, Y-plus security (four armed personnel) has been provided for Salman and a police escort vehicle will also travel alongside his car. A constable, who has been trained to use all weapons, will also accompany Salman.

In November 2022, after the actor received death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he was provided with Y+ security and now, following the murder of Siddique, it is said that Salman will be under the close watch of Mumbai Police.

Before receiving the Y+ security, the actor was provided with a regular police protection by the Mumbai Police. Reportedly, he had also issued a gun license after death threat to him and his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan.