Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi!
Amid wavering fortunes at the box office, the versatile and multi-award winning Kanaga Ranaut will next appear onscreen as the controversial former Indian PM.
Given her tendency to play strong-willed women with oodles of self respect, dignity and dare we say it, aggression, it isn’t surprising that Kangana Ranaut will next essay the role of India’s Iron Lady – Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Yes, come this July 14, movie-goers will get to see the Queen star don the former Indian Prime Minister’s saree, hairdo, spirit, voice and persona. Plus, going by circulating movie stills – the transformative make-up is quite convincing too. Moreover, Kangana will be in good company. Check out the rest of the cast: Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik.
The name of the upcoming biopic is entitled Emergency and quite obviously will encapsulate that turbulent period of India’s history. For those not familiar with this segment of the country’s past, it unfolded over a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977, when the Lady PM ruled by decree. Much like in a dictatorship, Mrs. Gandhi cancelled elections, curtailed civil liberties, jailed political opponents, censored the press and initiated a vasectomy drive. Thus, it seems that the feisty and outspoken Kangana makes for ideal casting in the main role. And if that isn’t enough – she has directed the film too.
With her proclivity for portraying intrepid women - like her titular turn in 2019’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi - Kangana is bound to impress in her latest filmi avatar. But though she is a darling of the critics and has ensnared a closetful of awards, the multifaceted actress has been having some trouble at the box office. Since 2019, most of her movies have barely recouped their budgets.
Kangana was last seen on screen in the aerial thriller Tejas (2023), but even this ostensibly commercial venture failed to land many derrieres in theatre seats. Nevertheless, matching the political stamina of the former Indian Chief Executive, Miss Ranaut doggedly preservers at her craft. And unlike the dubious end that Mrs. Gandhi received, Kangana is unlikely to be “shot down”...at least by the critics. However, akin to the Woman with the Iron Fist, this Padmashri winner perhaps aspires to lure more of a following.
