Bombay High Court has declined to intervene in Emergency controversy

Court refuses to order CBFC to issue a certification for its release

Court cited a prior order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Bombay High Court has declined to intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, refusing to order the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a certification for its release. The court cited a prior order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which had directed the CBFC to consider objections raised by Sikh organizations before granting certification.

The film, co-produced by Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films and Zee Studios, has faced strong opposition from Sikh groups, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which claims the movie misrepresents Sikhs. As a result, the film’s certification has been withheld, delaying its release, originally scheduled for September 6.

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Despite the court’s decision, Ranaut expressed satisfaction, claiming that the High Court criticized the CBFC for delaying the certification process. Zee Entertainment Enterprises, which had sought a directive from the Bombay High Court to expedite the certification, argued that the CBFC had already approved the film for public exhibition, pending minor modifications.

However, the CBFC has maintained that the final certificate cannot be issued until it is signed by the board’s chairperson, a process that remains incomplete. The Bombay High Court emphasized the need for judicial propriety, stating that it could not contravene the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order.

The CBFC has been directed to resolve the objections before the next hearing on September 19, leaving the film’s release in limbo.