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Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 18:01 IST
Coomi Kapoor accuses Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films and Netflix of distorting facts in “Emergency,” breaching their contract, and including historical inaccuracies.
Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency,” which portrays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is facing scrutiny and legal challenges. Coomi Kapoor, the author of “The Emergency: A Personal History,” has publicly accused Manikarnika Films Private Limited, the production house owned by Ranaut, as well as Netflix, of “deliberately and maliciously distorting facts.” According to reports from PTI, Kapoor has issued a legal notice alleging that the film’s creators have violated their contractual agreement.
Kapoor explained that her legal counsel advised her to include two specific clauses in their contract. These clauses allowed the filmmakers artistic freedom but prohibited any alterations that contradicted established historical facts. “The contract also specified that my name and the title of my book could not be used for promotional purposes without my written approval,” she noted.
Initially, Kapoor believed that the filmmakers would abide by these terms and did not watch the film when it was released. She was taken aback to learn that the film falsely claimed to be based on her work, stating, “I was under the impression that only a particular chapter related to Indira Gandhi would be adapted, yet I find that the title of the movie closely resembles my book.”
In her legal notice, she expressed concerns that the project’s title appears to be a strategic move to garner interest for the film, especially in light of prior negative reviews. Kapoor further criticized the film for numerous historical inaccuracies, highlighting that the Emergency period lasted until after Indira Gandhi’s electoral defeat in March 1977, disputing the film’s representation.
Kapoor has demanded immediate reparations for the significant personal and professional harm she claims to have endured due to what she describes as the filmmakers’ reckless actions. She stated that if her demands are not met, she reserves the right to pursue legal action for this violation.
“Emergency,” which premiered on January 17, features Kangana Ranaut in a dual role as the lead actress and director. The film delves into the 21-month period of Emergency declared by Gandhi, a time often described as one of the most controversial and tumultuous in India’s democratic history.
The cast of “Emergency” also includes notable actors such as Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mahima Chaudhry as Pupul Jayakar, Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Vishak Nair as Sanjay Gandhi.
(With inputs from PTI)
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