Emergency Movie Review; Kangana Ranaut Makes A Rather Odd Portrayal Of Indira Gandhi
Rating: 2.5/5
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Shreyas Talpade, Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Vishak Nair
Storyline:
Emergency chronicles the tumultuous life of India’s fiery former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. It journeys through her childhood, which sparked her ambition for power, to the pivotal moments that shaped her political legacy.
The story delves into her meteoric rise to leadership, the controversial period of the Emergency she imposed on the nation, and the subsequent fallout that led to her temporary loss of power.
The narrative also explores her path to redemption, her triumphant return to office, and the challenges she faced, including the infamous Operation Blue Star. The film culminates with her tragic assassination, painting a vivid portrait of her complex and polarizing legacy.
Key figures in her life and career are brought to life, including her close confidante Pupul Jayakar (Mahima Chaudhary), Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (Milind Soman), her controversial son Sanjay Gandhi (Vishak Nair), and political rivals such as Jayaprakash Narayan (Anupam Kher), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Shreyas Talpade), and Jagjivan Ram (Satish Kaushik).
Emergency Movie Review:
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency positions itself as a showcase for her undeniable talent, but the film falters in its execution.
While Ranaut has proven herself to be a stellar actress in the past, her portrayal of Indira Gandhi here feels uneven and occasionally distracting. Her interpretation of Gandhi’s mannerisms – marked by frequent rapid blinking and a weirdly sulky pout – leans towards insincere caricature, detracting from the seriousness of the role.
Her voice modulation, crucial for capturing the essence of such a mighty figure, doesn’t quite hit the mark. Additionally, the prosthetic nose, while meant to help her resemble Indira, doesn’t quite blend seamlessly, and at times it feels like it distracts from her performance rather than enhancing it.
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Emergency Movie Review:
As a result, her portrayal of such a complex figure doesn’t come across as convincing as one might hope. It’s clear she tried to embody the character, but the overall execution doesn’t fully do justice to the historical figure.
The screenplay, while aiming for something grand, has trouble balancing drama with historical accuracy. The dialogues often veer into clichés and overt melodrama, undermining the narrative’s potential for nuance. The songs, which meant to add emotional weight, end up interrupting the flow and slowing down the movie. Most notably, the titular Emergency period – the crux of the film – receives surprisingly limited screen time, with its complexities explored only superficially.
The supporting cast – Shreyas Talpade, Anupam Kher, and Milind Soman deliver decent performances, though they are constrained by the film’s underdeveloped writing. Vishak Nair, as Sanjay Gandhi, manages to leave a stronger impression, bringing a layered intensity to his role.
Despite its flaws, Emergency had the potential to be a compelling political drama. However, the hurried pacing, misplaced priorities, and inconsistent character portrayals ultimately prevent it from fully realizing its ambitions.
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