Emergency

Emergency 2025 is a film that aspires to be grand but collapses under the weight of its own ambition. The plot is a jumbled mess, riddled with inconsistencies and subplots that go nowhere. It's hard to stay engaged when the pacing is erratic, dragging during unnecessary exposition and rushing through critical moments that should carry emotional weight. The lack of coherence makes the entire movie feel like a chore to watch.

The characters are poorly written, with no depth or development, and the performances lack any conviction. It's as if the cast themselves couldn't connect with the clunky, cliché-ridden dialogue. The visuals, often touted as a highlight in big-budget films, are shockingly underwhelming here. The special effects are dated, and the action sequences are predictable and uninspired, offering no sense of thrill or innovation.

Even the soundtrack fails to enhance the experience, feeling disconnected and forgettable. The film attempts to evoke nostalgia and urgency but comes across as desperate rather than impactful. It misses the mark on delivering either meaningful commentary or genuine entertainment.

Overall, Emergency 2025 is a massive disappointment, squandering its potential and leaving viewers frustrated. If you value your time and money, give this one a miss.

I was so looking forward to this movie, but it was a big disappointment.

Except for Kangana's acting, makeup, and cast selection, nothing works. The movie touches so many events superficially, bouncing from one to another, without givong background or context on any event. Consequently, if you're not already aware of those events and their significance, the movie doesn't inform or educate you on most of them. It would have been much better to focus on fewer things and provide more context/background that help you understand Indira's character. A good story teller and director would have helped. Despite the title, the emergency isn't given adequate coverage.

The music is loud. Kangana's close-ups are on the screen a little much. And Vajpayee and Maneckshaw singing a song - seriously?

What a disappointment!

Very poor story. Only achievement is Indira's look.

There is hardly any attempt to put the events leading up to the Emergency in perspective. We miss the Machiavellian leftist side of Indira that she employed in style to crush the Syndicate within the party. The film keeps talking about Gudiya has found a voice but doesn't care to show how. The Green Revolution, nationalisation of banks, and abolition of privy purses don't make it to the script or, for that matter, the failed motto of garibi hatao.

It might not work for those who have learnt their lessons from Whats App after 2014, but those looking to cherry-pick from the past to create an atmosphere for one nation, one leader, and one slogan might find the spectacular symbolism worth emulating.

It seems like she is mimicking rather than truly acting. While it's commendable that the filmmakers attempted to take on such an ambitious subject, the portrayal just doesn't feel authentic. When you're watching her performance, you don't get the sense of depth or genuine emotion that's necessary for such a powerful and historical figure. Instead, it feels like she is imitating mannerisms and delivering dialogues without truly inhabiting the character. A performance like this requires nuance and a deep understanding of the person being portrayed, but that nuance is missing here.

I'll admit, I liked the overall camera work. The cinematography has its moments, and there are a few well-composed shots that give the film a polished look. The use of lighting and framing at key moments reflects the technical competence of the crew. However, even the best visuals can't compensate for a weak performance or a poorly written script. The issue lies in the storytelling and the inability to evoke the emotional gravity one would expect from a film about such an influential figure. The visuals alone cannot carry a movie, and that's painfully evident here.

The main problem is that the story lacks conviction. The narrative feels disjointed, and it's as if the filmmakers couldn't decide whether they wanted to focus on Indira Gandhi's political journey, her personal life, or the controversies surrounding her leadership. The result is a storyline that feels shallow and underdeveloped. For cinephiles, this is a major letdown. You go into a film like this expecting a layered, thought-provoking exploration of a complex personality, but what you get instead is a surface-level treatment that fails to do justice to its subject matter.

It's also worth mentioning that the portrayal of Indira Gandhi seems conflicted. On the one hand, it appears that the filmmakers wanted to highlight her strengths and the positive aspects of her leadership. But on the other hand, the lead actress seems like she's struggling to embody those traits convincingly. It almost feels like she doesn't believe in the character she's playing and is only going through the motions because she has to. Whether this is due to the direction, the script, or the actor's own limitations is up for debate, but the result is the same-it just doesn't work.

As a viewer, you can't help but feel that the film is trying to tell two stories at once: one that wants to glorify Indira Gandhi and another that doesn't quite know how to reconcile with her controversial legacy. This lack of clarity makes the film feel scattered and unfocused. There are moments where it seems like the filmmakers are trying to build empathy for her, but those moments are overshadowed by the inability to deliver a cohesive narrative.

The actress has certainly tried, and you can see glimpses of effort in certain scenes. But effort alone doesn't make a performance convincing. Acting is about transformation, about disappearing into the role so completely that the audience forgets they're watching an actor. Unfortunately, that transformation doesn't happen here. Her delivery feels forced, her expressions seem rehearsed, and there's an overall lack of authenticity that keeps you from connecting with her portrayal.

For cinephiles, this movie is hard to watch. If you're someone who appreciates strong performances, compelling narratives, and thought-provoking cinema, you're likely to be disappointed. The film feels like a missed opportunity-an ambitious project that fails to live up to its potential. It could have been a powerful exploration of one of India's most iconic and polarizing leaders, but instead, it ends up being a forgettable attempt that lacks the depth and substance necessary to make an impact.

In the end, while there are a few redeeming qualities, such as the cinematography, they're not enough to save the film. The weak storyline, combined with an unconvincing performance, leaves you feeling underwhelmed. It's a film that tries but doesn't succeed, and for a subject as compelling as Indira Gandhi, that's a real shame.

To truly appreciate this movie, you need to understand our country's history. It presents her story with raw authenticity.

As a historical drama, the film delves deep into the events surrounding the Emergency of 1975, shedding light on the political upheaval and its profound impact on ordinary citizens.

The movie effectively highlights how politics and politicians have the power to shape a country's socio-economic landscape, for better or worse, through their actions and decisions.

Kangana's portrayal of Indira Ji is, in my opinion, one of her finest performances to date, powerful and deeply compelling.