Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has described former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a “product of nepotism,” highlighting her privileged background. Ranaut is currently promoting her much-anticipated film Emergency, in which she portrays Indira Gandhi.
“Clearly, Indira Gandhi was a product of nepotism. However, as an artist, it’s important to approach characters with utmost sensibility, regardless of personal opinions or biases,” Ranaut said during an interaction with news agency IANS.
BJP MP from Mandi
Ranaut, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, entered politics by winning her first election in the 2024 general elections.
“I may belong to a party that represents the people, as the name suggests, but that doesn’t prevent me from taking a sensitive approach to someone from a privileged background,” Kangana Ranaut said, referring to her portrayal of Indira Gandhi in her upcoming film.
“Indira Gandhi came from privilege. She was a three-time Prime Minister and the daughter of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. She became a secretary and was given all the top ministries—what more privilege can one ask for? Yes, she was privileged, but that doesn’t mean I can’t portray her with sensibility,” Ranaut added.
Indira Gandhi and the Emergency
Emergency focuses on the 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across India. The film delves into the final years of her tenure, including Operation Bluestar. Directed by Ranaut, the movie is set to hit theaters on January 17 after significant delays.
The BJP, Kangana Ranaut’s party, has often used the Emergency as a political tool to criticize the Congress, the party once led by Indira Gandhi. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government officially designated June 25 as “Constitution Murder Day” to commemorate the turbulent events of the 1975 Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi.
Ranaut clarified that her film Emergency is not a political piece. “It’s a story, not about politics,” she said, as quoted in the IANS report. “It might seem unusual now, but eventually, you’ll realize it’s not about any political party. You’ll leave the theater feeling like you just watched a film—not deciding who to vote for.”
