Kangana Ranaut just broke the internet! Emergency reviews are in and they’re glowing

Kangana Ranaut’s directorial venture Emergency finally premiered on January 17, 2025, after multiple delays, and has sparked significant buzz on social media, with audiences and critics offering a mix of praise and criticism. The film, based on the tumultuous Emergency period of 1975-77 in India, focuses on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the political chaos of the time.

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Positive reviews are flooding social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) complimenting Kangana’s direction and her performance as Indira Gandhi. One of the users called it a “masterpiece,” said she humbly appreciated Kangana’s direction and acting, stating she looked just like the former Prime Minister. Another fan always held it out to praise her direction as “beast-level monstrous.”. Many were especially taken aback by Kangana’s performance as Indira Gandhi. “Kangana isn’t just playing Indira Gandhi, she is Indira Gandhi,” a user commented, talking about her body language, voice, and presence. The historical accuracy and intense political narrative of the film were also appreciated. One critic described Emergency as “both a history lesson and a thriller,” appreciating Kangana’s grip on the screenplay and period detailing. Some also pointed out Vishak Nair’s performance as Sanjay Gandhi, calling it a standout portrayal of the controversial figure.

However, not all reviews were positive. One user rated the movie 2.5/5, as it did not appeal much to a mass audience as it actually won the hearts of old film lovers more than that. Another review read, “Though Kangana’s efforts were excellent, it felt a below-average direction because the important scenes were short cut or converted to songs which leveled down the intensity of the film.”. It also pointed out certain areas, which lacked the sheen of good cinematography and background score. Some of the other scenes were felt to be rather “propagandistic” in nature. Still, on the whole, the film is acknowledged for the historical accuracy depicted, especially when it comes to portraying the dark happenings of the Emergency period. Portrayals of key characters like Sanjay Gandhi have received some attention for their unflinching boldness, with scenes that are shocking but effective at the same time.

Emergency has Kangana play Indira Gandhi with Anupam Kher playing Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi, among others. While it has garnered mixed reviews, the film has certainly made an impact as a gripping political drama, and Kangana’s debut as a director is a hot subject of discussion.