Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut’s much-anticipated film Emergency, a biographical drama based on the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, finally hit the screens on Friday after numerous controversies and delays.
While Ranaut delivers a compelling portrayal of the late leader and makes narrative attempts to remain balanced, the film ultimately falls short of expectations.
From the very first shot, Ranaut, 38, demonstrates that she has done her homework on deftly playing one of the best characters of her career. From Gandhi’s iconic half-black, half-white hairstyle to her nasal twang, subtle lip pursing, commanding demeanour and signature handloom sarees, Ranaut brings the late leader to life with meticulous attention to detail.
However, she falters as director, delivering a biopic that feels more like a superficial lesson in political science – a passable effort at best. Ranaut, who is also a parliamentarian from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in real life, and holds an ideology starkly opposed to that of Gandhi, leaves the audience confused with her film.
Emergency boasts an ensemble cast including veteran actor Anupam Kher; Shreyas Talpade; model-turned-actor Milind Soman; the late actor Satish Kaushik; and Mahima Chaudhary.
Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister, who was once one of the world’s most powerful leaders, was a trailblazer and a staunch secularist. The film portrays her as a leader who came to equate herself with the nation, embracing the belief that “India is Indira, and Indira is India” and her evolution into an autocratic leader who suppressed dissent, imprisoned opponents and censored the press.
The 148-minute film chronicles the 21-month period of Emergency in India, from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, one of the most controversial chapters in the country’s history when all fundamental rights were crushed.
It oscillates between portraying Gandhi as a formidable leader who stood up to the likes of US President Richard Nixon and orchestrated the breaking up of rival Pakistan in 1971 to an insecure politician, whose insatiable hunger for power nearly led to her political downfall.
The daughter of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi served as Prime Minister for three consecutive terms, from 1966 to 1977, and a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
Following a landslide victory in 1971, thanks to her pro-poor policies and military intervention to create Bangladesh, she began consolidating autocratic control over her cabinet. But as her power grew, so did her intolerance for criticism.
Though her foreign policies earned praises from opposition parties, Gandhi began facing mounting criticism over domestic issues of a struggling economy, droughts, rising unemployment, food shortages and allegations of interference in the judiciary.
Matters took a turn for the worse when her 1971 victory was challenged by an opposition leader in the court, nullifying her election over malpractices. As calls for her ouster grew, Gandhi imposed a state of emergency overnight.
The film portrays Gandhi as the mastermind behind the excesses during this time. More than 100,000 political opponents, trade union members, activists, dissenters and journalists were imprisoned. Her son and political heir, Sanjay Gandhi, was accused of spearheading a controversial nationwide vasectomy campaign, forcibly sterilising more than six million men to curb India’s burgeoning population. The film also delves into Sanjay's personal life, including his marriage to Maneka Gandhi, and his untimely death in a plane crash.
While depicting Gandhi's growing paranoia as she struggled to maintain her identity during the Emergency, the film also reflects Ranaut’s slanted political views, particularly in the portrayal of Nehru, who is shown as a sick, insecure man with unresolved issues over his daughter’s rising strength and authority.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Laden with tacky computer graphics, the film takes a surreal turn at one point, where Ranaut as Gandhi breaks into a song alongside the head of the Indian Army and politicians, adding an unconventional and somewhat jarring element to the narrative.
Emergency attempts to capture a tumultuous period in India's history but falls short in both execution and engagement. While her performance of Gandhi is commendable, Ranaut's film lacks depth and consistency, and her obvious political bias ultimately prevents the film from making a lasting impression.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
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• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
more from Janine di Giovanni
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
