The screening of Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency was disrupted at Harrow Cinema in London. A group of pro-Khalistan activists stormed the theatre, demanding that the movie be stopped. They shouted slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad!” while the film played in the background. Videos of the incident quickly went viral, showing heated exchanges between the activists and audience members inside the cinema.
#BREAKING: Khalistani radicals with faces covered storm inside a Cinema Hall in London, UK to disrupt screening of the film #Emergency. Shameful, under watch of UK Govt against freedom of speech. No action taken by British Police. @KanganaTeam @AnupamPKher pic.twitter.com/pKVApwAqUd
---Advertisement---— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 19, 2025
The activists argued that the film portrayed their community negatively. Despite the chaos, no formal complaints have been filed against them by theatre officials. This incident is part of a larger wave of protests against Emergency, which is a biopic about former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and covers a controversial period in Indian history known as the Emergency.
The film has faced significant backlash since its announcement, especially from Sikh organizations, which claim it misrepresents their community. Protests have also led to the cancellation of screenings in various parts of Punjab, India. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called for a ban on the film, stating it is politically motivated and aims to defame Sikhs.
Kangana Ranaut has defended her film, describing the protests as “complete harassment of art and the artist.” She insists that Emergency is a work of art meant for public interpretation. The situation in London has raised concerns about freedom of expression and safety in public spaces, with local authorities expected to take measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
