Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated political drama, Emergency, which explores the turbulent period of India’s 1975 Emergency, hit the big screen on January 17, 2025. The film, set in one of India’s most controversial political eras, aimed to make a bold statement. However, despite its ambitious narrative and star power, the film has faced disappointing numbers at the box office.
Emergency: A Box Office Struggle
The film’s production cost a hefty ₹60 crore, but it only managed to rake in ₹11.35 crore in its opening weekend—a mere fraction of its budget. Such a return spells trouble for any film, especially when the target audience is expected to be gripped by the political backdrop and high drama.
So, what went wrong? Several factors have contributed to the underperformance of Emergency. While the subject matter, focusing on India’s political landscape during the Emergency period, could have made for a thought-provoking movie, it hasn’t quite struck a chord with the mass audience.
1. Mixed and Negative Reviews: The movie faced sharp criticism from reviewers who slammed its propaganda-like narrative, with some arguing that it presented a biased and skewed interpretation of the historical events. As a result, audiences may have been turned off before even walking into the theater.
2. Stiff Competition: Emergency faced tough competition from other big-ticket releases around its release time, which probably stole a share of the audience’s attention. Bollywood films are often at the mercy of the crowd’s preference, and if a film lacks universal appeal, it struggles to stand out.
3. Limited Appeal: While the movie is set in an important political context, it seems that its niche target audience was not large enough to secure a box office victory. The lack of emotional connection to a particular demographic could have led to its downfall.
Fans Hoping for the Uncut Version
The film has sparked debates on social media, with both strong criticisms and defenses from different camps. Fans hoping for Kangana Ranaut’s return to Bollywood were left divided over whether this movie represents her much-awaited comeback or a theatrical disaster.
However, Emergency’s theatrical run may not be the end of its story. Rumours abound that Netflix is eyeing an OTT release for the film, and that could provide the content some life outside the theaters.
One of the more intriguing possibilities involves the rumored uncut version of the movie. The censor board had reportedly made multiple cuts to the film before its theatrical release. Many scenes, which could have added a fresh perspective or a deeper layer to the story, were removed, leaving fans wanting more. With the movie expected to stream on Netflix, there’s a genuine possibility that the uncut version could be available for viewers, fueling curiosity.
Will Netflix Take the Risk?
The idea of an uncut, possibly more controversial version of Emergency airing on Netflix is a risky yet tempting move. Bollywood content on OTT platforms tends to attract large viewerships due to the lack of censor cuts, allowing content to reflect a more honest, unapologetic depiction of reality.
But Netflix’s involvement does bring with it complications. The OTT giant is known for its diverse, globally appealing content, and releasing a potentially volatile, politically charged film could stir both praise and backlash from viewers. The movie’s box-office failure could prompt Netflix to take a conservative approach, but given the number of fans clamoring for its uncut version, it’s hard to ignore the demand.
Audience Reactions: A Tale of Divide
As the rumblings over Emergency continue, fans remain divided on the film’s legacy. Some viewers argue that despite the controversy, the movie holds immense potential to push boundaries in cinema, especially for a female lead like Kangana who is known for her outspokenness both on and off-screen.
On the flip side, many are keen to avoid what they label as “political propaganda.” The film’s portrayal of events, from the Emergency period to political conflicts, has left some uneasy about its bias and distorted narratives. For them, the film’s success was hindered not by the concept, but the execution.
What’s Next for Emergency?
As Kangana’s directorial ventures continue to make waves in Indian cinema, Emergency may have lost the battle at the box office but might just find a second lease of life on OTT platforms. The film, likely to stream soon on Netflix, will continue to attract its fair share of attention—this time on a global stage.
With uncut scenes that never made it to cinemas and an international audience waiting for controversial narratives in their purest form, only time will tell if the OTT release manages to redeem the film and its creators. But, if the demand on social media is anything to go by, fans are eagerly awaiting the unfiltered, unedited version of Emergency that could provide an entirely different viewing experience.
Will Netflix take the risk? And, more importantly, will it be worth the risk? Fans are awaiting answers.
