Bombay High Court Refuses to Order Certification for Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday declined to instruct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate for Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency. The court directed the CBFC to resolve any objections or representations regarding the film by September 18, with the next hearing scheduled for September 19.
Court Hears Plea for Certification
A two-judge bench was hearing a plea from Zee Entertainment Enterprises, co-producers of Emergency, seeking an official copy of the film’s certification. Despite receiving an email from the CBFC with an electronic version of the certificate on August 29, the producers had not received a signed hard copy.
Film’s Release Delayed Due to Objections
Emergency, a film based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is written, directed, and produced by Kangana Ranaut. Originally set for release on September 6, the film has been postponed due to concerns raised by Sikh organizations about the portrayal of Sikhs and historical inaccuracies.
CBFC Caught in Legal Crossfire
Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Zee Entertainment Enterprises, argued that the CBFC had delayed issuing the hard copy of the certificate, claiming it lacked the required signature. The CBFC’s counsel, Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, informed the court that the delay was due to an order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which had asked the CBFC to review objections against the film.
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Court’s Stand on Certification
The bench, comprising Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwala, agreed that the producers had a right to request the hard copy. They noted that once the email was sent, the certification process was complete, and the signature was merely a formal step. However, the court refrained from ordering the CBFC to release the certificate, acknowledging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s directive.
Next Steps in the Certification Process
The court asked how groups could predict the film would offend certain communities without viewing it. The CBFC now faces the task of addressing the objections before the September 18 deadline.
