“Emergency,” released on January 17, 2025, directed and co-produced by Kangana Ranaut, is a Hindi-language historical biographical drama that dives into one of India’s most controversial chapters—the Emergency of 1975-1977 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, portrayed by Ranaut herself. With a screenplay by Ritesh Shah and a story credited to Ranaut, the film features a robust ensemble including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Vishak Nair, and Mahima Chaudhry.

The storyline ambitiously spans decades, tracing Indira Gandhi’s journey from her father Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964 to her assassination in 1984, with the Emergency as its centerpiece. It begins with Nehru’s perceived weakness during the 1962 Indo-China War, positioning Indira as a decisive counterpoint who rises to power in 1966. The narrative crescendos with her 1971 triumph over Pakistan, only to unravel as strikes, a lost court case, and Sanjay Gandhi’s (Nair) reckless influence push her to declare the Emergency. The film captures her paranoia—spurred by events like Bangladesh’s Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination—and her eventual downfall and arrest in 1977, ending with a reflective jail scene. It’s a tale of power, guilt, and redemption, drawing from Coomi Kapoor’s The Emergency and Jaiyanth Sinha’s Priyadarshini. The story shines when it humanizes Indira, showing her as a flawed leader torn between duty and family, especially in her Belchi elephant ride or her soul-searching with J. Krishnamurti—moments that hint at a Shakespearean tragedy.

Kangana Ranaut’s performance is the film’s beating pulse. As Indira, she channels a commanding presence, nailing the late PM’s mannerisms—her soft yet firm cadence, her quivering resolve in crisis. Her best scenes come post-Emergency, radiating vulnerability and defiance, a career-defining turn some call her finest since “Queen.” Vishak Nair’s Sanjay Gandhi is a revelation, his menacing energy chilling as he bulldozes slums and pushes forced sterilizations—stealing scenes with a stock-villain flair that works. Anupam Kher’s restrained Jayaprakash Narayan and Milind Soman’s charismatic Sam Manekshaw add gravitas, while Mahima Chaudhry’s Pupul Jayakar offers quiet support. Shreyas Talpade’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee, though, feels off—his mannerisms don’t quite land, a rare casting misstep.

Yet, “Emergency” stumbles where it should soar. The narrative, while packed with historical beats, lacks fluidity—jumping between events without context, leaving viewers scrambling to connect dots. The 146-minute runtime feels both rushed and overstretched; pivotal moments like the Emergency’s atrocities or Indira’s comeback are glossed over, while a bizarre song featuring Manekshaw and Vajpayee jars the tone. Ranaut’s direction, her second after “Manikarnika,” shows ambition but falters in craft—overly dramatic cuts and tacky CGI (think wartime montages) cheapen the experience. G.V. Prakash Kumar’s music lifts with “Ae Meri Jaan,” but other tracks disrupt the flow. Tetsuo Nagata’s cinematography aims for grandeur but is constrained by a choppy edit.

The film’s intent—unveiling a “darkest hour”—is muddled by its selective lens. Some see it as propaganda, vilifying Nehru and Congress while haloing Vajpayee, a critique fueled by Ranaut’s BJP ties. “Emergency” is a mixed bag—its story and acting pack a punch, but its disjointed telling and heavy-handed style dull the impact. It’s watchable for Kangana’s tour de force and a glimpse into history, but don’t expect depth or polish.

Rating: 2.5/5

A promising premise undone by messy execution— “Emergency” has heart, but not enough head.