Kangana Ranaut gets SUED by an Author due to THESE inaccuracies in the film Emergency

The controversy surrounding Kangana Ranaut's "Emergency" has taken a new turn, with a legal battle erupting over alleged misuse of historical material. Senior journalist and author Coomi Kapoor, whose book "The Emergency: A Personal History" served as inspiration for the film, has filed a lawsuit against the production house, Manikarnika Films Private Limited, and streaming platform Netflix.

Kapoor claims that the filmmakers have violated the terms of their agreement, distorting historical facts and misrepresenting her work. She alleges that despite signing a contract allowing adaptation of her book, the filmmakers have deviated from the agreed-upon conditions, particularly those regarding historical accuracy and the use of her name and book.

The lawsuit throws a spotlight on the delicate balance between creative freedom and historical integrity, particularly when adapting real-life events for the screen. It remains to be seen how the legal battle will unfold and what impact it will have on the release of "Emergency."

My daughter is a lawyer, so on her advice, I had included two clauses. While the producers had full artistic freedom to create the film, nothing should be altered that contradicts historical facts that are publicly available

- Coomi Kapoor

She added, “The contract also stated that the author’s name and book could not be used for promoting or exploiting the film without prior written consent. I was in Goa and had not seen the film at the time, believing that they would honour the contract. But they are still claiming that the film is based on the book.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Kapoor expressed shock at the film's title, "Emergency," finding it uncomfortably close to her book's name. She believes this similarity was a deliberate tactic to attract attention. Kapoor revealed that the initial agreement was for the film to adapt only one specific chapter from her book, focusing on Indira Gandhi. However, she alleges that the film expanded beyond this scope, incorporating "historical inaccuracies."

“Factually, the Emergency was not removed till after Mrs Indira Gandhi lost the general election in March 1977,” her legal notice stated.

Adding to the tension, Kapoor revealed that her legal notices sent on April 3rd to both Kangana's team and Netflix went unanswered. This lack of response prompted her to proceed with a formal lawsuit.

Kapoor believes the film has significantly damaged her reputation and professional standing. She is seeking compensation for the emotional, financial, and legal harm she claims to have suffered.

As mentioned by PTI, the legal notice read, “If you fail to comply, our client reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings to seek appropriate remedies for this egregious violation of her rights.”

"Emergency," a politically charged drama set against the backdrop of India's tumultuous 21-month Emergency period (1975-1977), hit theaters on January 17, 2025. By portraying a significant moment in India's history, it has stirred controversy, especially given the deteriorating diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh. Kangana Ranaut, not only taking on the role of Indira Gandhi, but also directing and co-producing the film under her banner, Manikarnika Films, has brought this controversial chapter of Indian history to the screen. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry, and others, adding to the anticipation surrounding its release. In the film, Shreyas Talpade takes on the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while Anupam Kher portrays Jayaprakash Narayan. Additionally, the late actor Satish Kaushik will be portraying Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram.

The movie faced boycotts and calls for a ban after various Sikh organizations accused it of misrepresenting the community. The SGPC and the Akal Takht had urged an immediate ban on the film, alleging that it sought to tarnish the image of Sikhs by portraying them negatively.