Manashimaya
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency tries to dramatize one of India’s darkest political phases but falters with a messy narrative and misguided creative liberties. Written and directed by Ranaut, who also stars as Indira Gandhi, the film blends historical events with fiction, often sacrificing authenticity for drama.
The story attempts to explore Gandhi’s tumultuous life, her rise to power, and the imposition of Emergency. Yet, it stumbles with a superficial portrayal of its protagonist. Indira Gandhi, known for her iron will, is reduced to a caricature—giggly, uncertain, and lacking the gravitas that defined her. Scenes meant to evoke drama, like her moments of guilt over political decisions, feel overacted and unconvincing.
The film’s inaccuracies are jarring. Historical figures like Jayaprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are reduced to one-dimensional roles, sometimes even breaking into song. Moments like Indira’s guilt-ridden visions come across as bizarre rather than poignant.
Technically, the film struggles with poor period detailing and performances that fail to capture the essence of real-life figures. Even the cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata, known for La Vie en Rose, cannot elevate the chaotic production.
Ultimately, Emergency teaches how not to craft a biopic, especially one rooted in recent history.
