Emergency

What’s it about?

Emergency focuses on the political life of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the early 1960s to her assassination in 1984, including the state of emergency she declared from June 1975 to March 1977.

The facts

• Directed by Kangana Ranaut
• Hindi language with English subtitles
• Runtime: 144 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about the classification process and ratings here.

The film contains dramatisations of historical events which may be upsetting for some viewers. The age rating and content warning for this film are based on what happens in the film, which is described below. The classification does not consider whether the depictions of events are accurate. For more information about the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 and the role of the Classification Office, please refer to our resources here.

Violence

The most graphic scene involves a village being attacked. Villagers are shot, attacked and beheaded. One soldier snatches a baby from its mother and slams it against a wooden post. Soldiers arrive to try to rescue surviving villagers, but the other soldiers open fire and kill them before the rescue can begin.

Other violent scenes are briefer:

• Indira Gandhi is assassinated by two of her bodyguards. This is shown in slow motion, with blood.
• Bangladeshi president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family are killed by militants who raid their home.
• Some prisoners are shown being beaten during the state of emergency.

Cruelty

Millions of men are given incentives to be sterilised. Those who do not accept the incentives are later threatened, then forced to undergo the procedure anyway. Many die as a result of not receiving proper medical care.

Residents in a Delhi slum are forced to relocate outside the city. They refuse and violent scenes erupt.

Some scenes and references show discrimination.

When content stays with you

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?