Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency', Kirti Kulhari's 'Indu Sarkar', Shabana Azmi's 'Kissa Kursi Ka': Indira Gandhi-based films that clashed with the Censor Board

Indira Gandhi, India's first and only female Prime Minister, left an indelible mark on the nation's history. Unsurprisingly, her life and political legacy have inspired several films. However, bringing her story to the big screen hasn't been without its hurdles. Many of these films clashed with the Censor Board, facing cuts, delays, and controversies. From Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency', Kirti Kulhari's 'Indu Sarkar', Shabana Azmi's 'Kissa Kursi Ka', here's a look at some iconic films that took on the challenge of portraying Indira Gandhi and battled the Censor Board along the way.

Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency has faced delays due to objections from Sikh groups over its portrayal of the community. The Bombay High Court ordered the CBFC to address these concerns by September 18. Originally set for a September 6 release, Kangana announced the film’s postponement on Instagram, promising a new date soon.

Madhur Bhandarkar's Indu Sarkar, starring Kirti Kulhari, stirred up controversy for its depiction of the Emergency period. The Congress party fiercely opposed the film, accusing it of portraying Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi in a negative light. Despite the backlash, the film’s release went ahead as planned, hitting theaters in 2017 without delay.

Featuring Shabana Azmi, Raj Babbar, and the late Surekha Sikri, this film ignited controversy during its production. Directed by parliamentarian Amrit Nahata, it faced significant opposition from the government during the 1975 Emergency. Initially submitted for certification in April 1975, its prints were seized and burned. After years of delay, the film was finally released in 1978.

Directed by Gulzar, Aandhi, starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen, sparked controversy for allegedly depicting the relationship between then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her husband. Despite the uproar, the film was blocked during her tenure. However, after her government fell in 1977, Aandhi was finally cleared for release.