Actress Kangana Ranaut is promoting her upcoming film, Emergency, in which she portrays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In a recent interview with India Today, Kangana shared her thoughts on the complex character of Indira Gandhi. She compared her film to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, drawing parallels to the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth.
Kangana Ranaut on Indira Gandhi and “Emergency”
Kangana Ranaut has taken on the challenging role of Indira Gandhi in Emergency, set to release in theaters on September 6. When asked about making a film on such a controversial figure, Kangana stated, “I don’t know why people are so uncomfortable with the truth, as if it does not stand there glaring at us evidently. To me, Ms. Gandhi is what she is, and we cannot compartmentalize people as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’”
She further explained that her film invites viewers to look beyond simple judgments, offering a deeper understanding of historical figures. “A close comparison to draw with my film is maybe Oppenheimer,” she said, referring to Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster about the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Comparing “Emergency” to “Oppenheimer” and “Macbeth”
Kangana elaborated on the comparison, stating, “You can’t really decide whether to root for him, whether he is getting manipulated or he is manipulative. But aren’t all of us like that? Life is not so limited. It demands you to be so much and at times to be the person you don’t want to be. That is why I call it a Shakespearean tragedy. It is so much like Macbeth.”
She drew parallels between Indira Gandhi’s story and the Shakespearean character Macbeth, who was destined to be king but faced moral dilemmas and consequences for his actions. “Macbeth was destined to be the king, and when he becomes the king by killing the king, the dagger follows him. His conscience follows him… The idea of Emergency is that the best of us can become a victim of hubris,” Kangana explained.
“Emergency” Set to Release Soon
Emergency is scheduled for release in theaters on September 6, and Kangana Ranaut’s comparison to Oppenheimer and Macbeth has certainly piqued interest. The film promises to offer a nuanced portrayal of Indira Gandhi’s controversial period in office, potentially opening up new conversations about historical narratives and their modern interpretations.
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