In Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming directorial venture ‘Emergency’, veteran actor Anupam Kher steps into the shoes of late political leader Jayaprakash Narayan, delivering yet another power-packed performance.
In a recent conversation with ANI, Kangana Ranaut and Anupam Kher opened up about their collaboration on the film, which revisits the tumultuous 21-month Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977.
Kangana didn’t hold back her admiration for Kher, going as far as to call him the “hero” of the film. She revealed that ‘Emergency’ might never have seen the light of day without Kher’s involvement.
“It was crucial for me to have Anupam ji in this film. If he had said no, I wouldn’t have made it,” Kangana admitted. She praised his on-screen presence, adding, “There’s a certain honesty on his face. No one else could have portrayed Jayaprakash Narayan like he does.”
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Kher, in turn, commended Kangana for her dedication and talent, calling her “one of the finest filmmakers.” Reflecting on his personal connection to the film’s subject, Kher shared, “I was in the National School of Drama when the Emergency was declared, so I didn’t need much research. Kangana had already done all the groundwork for everyone.”
The seasoned actor was particularly impressed by Kangana’s ability to juggle multiple roles. “Directing a film while playing a complex character like Indira Gandhi is no small feat, but Kangana did it with remarkable ease. This is one of the finest political films ever made,” he said.
Scheduled to hit theatres on January 17, ‘Emergency’ also features Shreyas Talpade and the late Satish Kaushik.