Bombay High Court Withholds Urgent Relief For 'Emergency', Directs CBFC Action By September 18

Kangana Ranaut's film 'Emergency' will not meet its planned release date of September 6. The Bombay High Court has refused to order the censor board to certify the movie immediately.

The court noted that the Madhya Pradesh High Court had directed the censor board to consider objections before certifying the film. This directive prevented the Bombay High Court from granting any urgent relief.

The biographical drama, scheduled for release on September 6, faced objections from Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal. They accused it of misrepresenting their community and historical facts.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the film's producer, approached the Bombay High Court seeking a direction for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certificate for 'Emergency'. The plea claimed that although the censor board was ready with the certificate, it was not issuing it due to concerns about potential unrest.

The bench acknowledged that if not for the Madhya Pradesh HC order, it would have directed CBFC to issue the certificate "today". The court stated, "We know that there is something else happening behind. We don't want to comment on it. The CBFC shall consider the objections and take a decision by September 18."

After the HC order, Kangana Ranaut expressed her views on social media. "High court has blasted censor for illegally withholding the certificate of #emergency," she wrote on X.

CBFC's Position and Legal Arguments

The CBFC argued that while an auto-generated email issued a U/A certificate initially, certain modifications were later requested. Senior counsel Abhinav Chandrachud stated that the certificate was not issued because it lacked the chairperson's signature.

Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, representing Zee Entertainment, contended that free speech and freedom of expression should not be curtailed due to anticipated unrest. He argued that just because some unrest is expected, it does not justify withholding certification.

Judicial Propriety and Future Actions

The Bombay HC emphasised judicial propriety in its decision. "If we give any relief today then it would be directly in contravention to that order," said the bench. They added that delaying the movie by a week or two would not make a significant difference.

The court also criticised auto-generated emails issuing certificates without proper oversight. "You (CBFC) need to haul up those officers for not applying their mind. Take action against them for not doing their duty," said the judges.

Upcoming Hearings

The court will hear Zee Entertainment's plea again on September 19. Meanwhile, they directed CBFC to consider objections raised by Sikh groups and certify 'Emergency' by September 18.

Kangana Ranaut has directed and co-produced 'Emergency', where she plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She earlier accused CBFC of stalling certification to delay its release.