Emergency had all the ingredients for a compelling political biopic: a towering figure in Indian history, a skilled lead actor who also directs, and a dramatic era rife with conflict and consequence. Kangana Ranaut fully transforms into Indira Gandhi in appearance and fiercely owns the screen whenever she’s on it. Unfortunately, the film as a whole struggles to match that promise.
The first half drags under the weight of excessive setup… decades are covered, characters introduced, but tension rarely peaks. By the time the Emergency era arrives, the pace picks up, but the narrative becomes patchy: key events aren’t given the space they deserve, and many supporting figures are mere caricatures, lacking nuance or direction.
The direction feels unsure: the film attempts grandeur and historical significance, yet slips into melodrama and uneven tone. Technically, the period look is serviceable, but the script and structure hold it back.
If you go in anticipating a detailed exploration of power, politics and consequence, Emergency falls short. But if you simply want to see Kangana Ranaut in full command of the role of Indira Gandhi, it’s worth a view.
Overall, I’d give it 5.5/10.
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