Screenings of ‘Emergency’ film cancelled in Punjab after protests by Sikh groups

Movie theatres across Punjab on Friday cancelled screenings of the Hindi-language film Emergency after protests by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and other Sikh organisations calling for its ban, PTI reported.

Emergency, starring actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, was released on Friday.

“This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened,” Ranaut posted on X. “I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh I have closely observed and followed Sikh religion. This is a complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film.”

The film is based on the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government in 1975. Ranaut, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, is also the writer and director of the film, besides having co-produced it through her company Manikarnika Films.

The film was initially scheduled for release on September 6. This was delayed after protests from several quarters, including Sikh groups. Petitions were also filed in court claiming that the film contained objectionable portrayal of Sikhs infringed on the community’s fundamental rights.

On Friday, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which manages gurdwaras in India and other countries, protested outside cinemas, multiplexes and malls in Punjab. Theatres in…

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