In the 21 months of the Emergency, the government implemented strict censorship on the world of art and cinema. During this time many films – which were completed or were under construction – came under investigation due to their content. Let’s take a look at films that were banned, stopped or faced problems during the Emergency:
1. “Thunderstorm” is widely believed that it is inspired by the life of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Gulzar’s 1975 film was banned shortly after its release. Although the filmmakers said that this is a fictional story, but it was difficult to ignore similarities between Aarti Devi and Gandhi, the main character played by Suchitra Sen, especially white stripes in her hair.
The ban was lifted after the Emergency ended.
2. “Kissa Kursi Ke” A satire on the political scenario prevalent by filmmaker Amrit Nahata, the negative of the film was destroyed and its print was confiscated by the then Information and Broadcasting Minister VC Shukla, close to Indira Gandhi’s younger son Sanjay Gandhi.
The main character of the film was based on Gangaram Sanjay Gandhi and also featured Shabana Azmi, Raj Babbar, Raj Kiran and Utpal Dutt. Nahata remake the film and released it in 1978. However, this version also faced censorship.
3. Directed by “Movement” article Tandon, the film was a political inspired film based on the 1942 Quit India Movement. It revolves around an Indian teacher who starts rebellion against the British colonial government in his hometown. Starring Rakesh Pandey and Neetu Singh, the film also faced criticism of the sensor during the Emergency.
4. This Kannada film based on “Chanda Marutha” P Lankesh’s favorite drama “Kranti Bantu Kranti” was made just before the Emergency. It was directed by Pattabhi Ram Reddy and starred by his wife Snehlata Reddy. Snehlata was put in jail and died five days after his release on parole.
5. The film, directed by IS Johar “sterilization”, was satirical on the forced sterilization campaign run during the Emergency. The film featured duplicate of the lead actors of the time – Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar and Rajesh Khanna.
Due to its controversial theme, the film was banned, but was released in 1978 after changing the political atmosphere.
6. “Revolution’s waves” – The first documentary built by Anand Patwardhan has told the story of how it became a national movement before the introduction of the JP movement in Bihar and before the Emergency came into force in 1975.
When Anand made this film in 1975, he was just 25 years old. The film showed mass movement and civil unrest, when the mainstream media was under the increasing pressure of the state. It was widely broadcast by underground groups during the Emergency.