Here’s why Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency will not be released in Bangladesh

The film, which delves into the turbulent period of the Emergency declared in India in 1975 by Indira Gandhi, has found itself at the center of a geopolitical impasse

Kangana Ranaut. Pic/Bipin Kokate

The upcoming Kangana Ranaut directorial ‘Emergency’, which is based on the life of the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, won’t be released in Bangladesh as the political relationship between the neighbouring countries continue to get strained.

The film, which delves into the turbulent period of the Emergency declared in India in 1975 by Indira Gandhi, has found itself at the center of a geopolitical impasse.

A source close to the matter revealed, “The decision to halt the screening of ‘Emergency’ in Bangladesh is tied to the current strained relations between India and Bangladesh. The ban is less about the content of the film and more about the ongoing political dynamics between the two nations.”

Indira Gandhi played a vital role in the Liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan even though the USA demanded her not to meddle in the affairs of both the nations. Nevertheless, Indira went ahead as she felt that instead of taking in millions of refugees, India would be economically better off going to war against Pakistan leading to the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971.

With the USA threatening India with a naval offensive by deploying their aircraft destroyers in the Bay of Bengal, India found support in the USSR, as they deployed nuclear-armed submarines and warships. The relationship between India and the USSR continues to grow even long after the collapse of the USSR leading to Russia becoming a major power in the Eastern bloc.

‘Emergency’ highlights the Indian Army and Indira Gandhi’s government role in the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence and the support given to Shaikh Mujibur Rehman who is called the Father of Bangladesh and who called Indira Gandhi as Goddess Durga.

The film also showcases the assassination of Shaikh Mujibur Rehman at the hands of Bangladeshi extremists, factors which are believed to have led to the ban of the film in Bangladesh.

India fought a two front war against West Pakistan, and erstwhile East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh.

In the current era, Bangladesh was India’s sole ally in the subcontinent. However, with the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the equation between both the nations have greatly changed. India now finds itself surrounded by hostile neighbours from all sides including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the terrorist government of Taliban in Afghanistan.

Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency faces ban in Bangladesh: Here’s why
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency, based on Indira Gandhi’s life, won’t release in Bangladesh due to escalating political tensions between the two countries.

Emergency faces ban in Bangladesh

Kangana Ranaut’s much-awaited film Emergency, which chronicles the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will not be released in Bangladesh due to rising political tensions between the two nations. The movie, poised to attract considerable attention, will now miss out on a key South Asian market as a result of these strained relations.

The film, which delves into the politically turbulent period of India’s 1975 Emergency under Gandhi’s leadership, has become a point of contention, amplifying geopolitical conflicts. As it portrays a pivotal chapter in India’s history, it has stirred controversy, especially with the deteriorating diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.

This ban underscores the intricate relationship between politics and entertainment, limiting the film’s reach in the region.

A source close to the matter revealed, “The decision to halt the screening of ‘Emergency’ in Bangladesh is tied to the current strained relations between India and Bangladesh. The ban is less about the content of the film and more about the ongoing political dynamics between the two nations.”

Indira Gandhi played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s liberation from Pakistan, despite pressure from the United States to stay out of the conflict. She believed that rather than absorbing millions of refugees, India would be economically better off confronting Pakistan directly, which led to the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971.

As the USA threatened India with a naval offensive by deploying aircraft carriers in the Bay of Bengal, India received crucial support from the USSR, which deployed nuclear-armed submarines and warships. This strengthened relationship between India and the USSR continued even after the latter’s collapse, with Russia emerging as a dominant power in the Eastern bloc.

‘Emergency’ sheds light on the role of the Indian Army and Indira Gandhi’s government during the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence. It also emphasizes the support extended to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, regarded as the Father of Bangladesh, who referred to Indira Gandhi as Goddess Durga.

The film also depicts the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Bangladeshi extremists, an event that is believed to have contributed to the ban of the film in Bangladesh.

India engaged in a two-front war against West Pakistan and what was then East Pakistan, which later gained independence and became Bangladesh.

In the present day, Bangladesh was once considered India’s only ally in the subcontinent. However, following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the relationship between the two countries has significantly shifted. India now faces growing tensions with neighboring countries, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, resulting in a more challenging geopolitical environment.