The postponement comes as a setback for Ranaut, who has not only starred in and helmed the movie, but also co-produced it. A trade source says, “Kangana is deeply hurt by this unexpected turn of events. The CBFC had cleared Emergency on August 29. They even put out their list of suggested modifications—which included muting the word ‘saala’ in a dialogue, modifying the term ‘Mr President’ to ‘Rashtrapati-ji’ and submitting factual information for certain sequences—on their website, and stated that the film was given a U/A certificate. 

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However, the makers didn’t receive a copy of the certificate. In the past two-three days, the CBFC started suggesting additional changes. Their most critical instruction is that the film shouldn’t show Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her security guards. This has shocked Kangana. If certain things are factually correct and documented in Indian history, why should she remove it from her film?” On Monday, in a podcast, Ranaut expressed her views on Emergency’s deferral. The actor-director said, “An Emergency has been imposed on my film now… I’m disappointed with how things are unfolding here.” Sources indicate that the film’s team is hoping to resolve the matter and find an alternative release date. 

Mid-day reached out to Ranaut as well as to CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi and other members of the body. However, they refused to comment. Former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani said, “This has been happening frequently during Prasoon Joshi’s tenure, where the CBFC [initially] clears a film, but stalls the certificate after it is sent a show-cause notice. The government may be [wondering] whether now is the right time to release Emergency, as it could [hurt] the sentiments of certain sections. So, they’ve kept it on hold.”