Kangana Ranaut rejects Oscar for Emergency: ‘America can keep their silly award, we have National Awards’

Kangana Ranaut’s latest political drama Emergency premiered on an OTT platform last week, and the actress has been actively sharing audience reactions and reviews on social media. The film, which showcases the controversial 21-month Emergency period imposed in 1975 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has received praise from both viewers and industry insiders.
One viewer even suggested that Emergency should be India’s official Oscar entry. The tweet read, "#EmergencyOnNetflix should go for the Oscars from India. Kangana, what a film." However, Kangana dismissed the idea, responding, "But America wouldn’t like to acknowledge its real face—how they bully, suppress, and arm-twist developing nations. It's been exposed in #Emergency. They can keep their silly Oscar. We have National Awards."

Veteran filmmaker Sanjay Gupta also took to social media to commend Kangana’s work, admitting he had initially misjudged the film. "Today I watched EMERGENCY by @KanganaTeam. Very frankly, I wasn't planning to, as I had prejudged it. I am so glad that I was wrong. What a fantastic film by Kangana—both performance and direction. Top Notch & World Class," he wrote.
Read more: Kangana Ranaut receives heartfelt praise for 'Emergency' from opposition member; shares touching note
Kangana thanked Gupta for recognizing her work, adding, "The film industry must come out of its hate and prejudices and acknowledge good work. Thanks for breaking that barrier, Sanjay ji—the barrier of preconceived notions. My message to all filmi intellectuals—never keep any notions about me. Mujhe samajhne ki koshish bhi mat karna, main pahunch se bahar hoon (Don't try to figure me out, I am out of your reach)."

Fans have also been praising her performance in the film, with one user calling it her best work yet. Kangana responded, "People are calling my acting in #Emergency amazing and my best ever. Could I surpass Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Fashion, Thalaivi? Watch Emergency and find out."

Directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, Emergency stars the actress in the lead role as Indira Gandhi. The ensemble cast includes Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Milind Soman, and the late Satish Kaushik.