Bollywood actor-politician Kangana Ranaut took to social media to share a video expressing her sincere gratitude to audiences for their love and support of her latest directorial and acting venture ‘Emergency’. However, she also spoke of the “pain in her heart” regarding the film's reception in Punjab and some protests in the UK and Canada.
In her video message, Kangana says in Hindi: "You all gave so much love and respect to our film. We don't even have words to express our gratitude.
"But I still have some pain in my heart. Punjab. In the industry, it was said that my films perform the best in Punjab. And today is a day when my film is not even allowed to be released in Punjab. In the same way, some attacks are being carried out on people in Canada and Britain… some small-minded people have set this country on fire. And you and I are burning in this fire."
The actress emphasised that the film reflects her personal beliefs and stance on national unity.
"Friends, my film, my thoughts, and my attitude towards the country are reflected in this film. You decide for yourself after watching this film. Does this film connect us, or does it break us?"
The filmmakers behind ‘Emergency’, which hit cinemas worldwide over the weekend, have claimed a strong opening and steady growth with strong box-office collections.
Meanwhile, in the UK the Sikh Press Association (PA) group dubbed the film as “anti-Sikh”, with protests resulting in some cancelled screenings in Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Community organisation Insight UK posted a video showing protesters interrupting a screening at a cinema in Harrow, north-west London, of the film, which is directed by Kangana Ranaut who plays the lead role depicting former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The film brings to life the political chessboard of the time, from Jayaprakash Narayan's fiery protests (Anupam Kher) to young Atal Bihari Vajpayee's oratorical brilliance (Shreyas Talpade). Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (Milind Soman), Pupul Jayakar (Mahima Choudhary), and Jagjivan Ram (the late Satish Kaushik) also play pivotal roles in the drama inspired by true events.