The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has ordered 13 cuts in Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’ after issuing U/A certificate for the film. The new cuts recommended by the board include the removal of some violent scenes and a dialogue by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was a prominent name in the establishment of the Khalistan movement at that time. The decision was taken following complaints from several Sikh groups alleging that the film portrayed the Sikh community in a bad light.

Here is a list of eight major cuts and changes out of the 13 recommended by the CBFC:

1. The vetting committee asked the Emergency team to include a disclaimer that the events of the film are “inspired by true events” or represent a “dramatic alteration” of events that occurred during the Emergency. The board is of the view that viewers should keep in mind that not everything they are watching is true and does not reflect the “absolute truth”.
2. The board asked the team to present historical evidence in support of the view in which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru mentions that “China had cut off Assam from India”. This scene is reportedly shown at the beginning of the film and no board member could confirm its authenticity.
3. The film shows a conversation between Bhindranwale and Sanjay Gandhi in which Bhindranwale alleged that Gandhi wanted votes while he wanted Khalistan.Tawadi Party Nu Vote Chaide Ne, Te Sanu Chaindaye KhalistanThe board wanted the entire dialogue to be removed from the film, as it appeared as if they were talking about managing a deal. Board members have also asked the team to provide their source behind curating the visual.
4. At least three scenes describing Bhindranwale as a ‘saint or saint’ have been asked to be removed from the film. One of these scenes shows a conversation between Sanjay Gandhi and President Giani Zail Singh, and the other shows Indira Gandhi talking to the army chief.
5. The board has issued a separate suggestion regarding reducing the level of violence shown in the film. This also includes Sikhs who commit violence on non-Sikhs. In one scene, members of the Sikh community are seen shooting a non-Sikh man in front of a bus. The board has expressed objection to all these.
6. Another scene that the board has found objectionable involves Indira Gandhi’s conversation with the Army Chief. The two discuss Operation Bluestar and mention that it was to begin on ‘Arjun Diwas’, the martyrdom anniversary of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan. The board asked the makers to remove the reference saying that the religion does not accept the term.
7. The board has requested producers to insert a simple disclaimer wherever they have used real-life footage from the past, to help provide viewers with some context and not be left open to interpretation.
8. The producers have been asked to submit evidence and factual sources for every statement, statement and reference used in the film.

Production house Zee Entertainment, which is supporting the emergency, has requested time to consider the recommended changes and cuts. According to the revision committee, while they have already issued the certificate, changes need to be made as soon as possible. The makers will now either accept all the changes and go ahead with the release, challenge the cuts in the High Court or try to negotiate with the board to achieve a consensus.

Neither Kangana nor anyone else from the film’s team has commented on these recommendations yet.