Kangana Ranaut marks Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, calls Emergency an attack on democracy
Synopsis
On Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut revisited India's most controversial political chapter — the 1975 Emergency — through a behind-the-scenes Instagram post from her film Emergency, now on Netflix. With co-stars Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik praising her direction, Ranaut used the occasion to blend political tribute with a streaming push for a film that put her behind the camera for the first time on a major political drama.
Key Takeaways
Kangana Ranaut marked Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas on 25 June with an Instagram post calling the 1975 Emergency a 'direct assault' on India's Constitution.
She shared a behind-the-scenes video from her film Emergency , in which she played former PM Indira Gandhi .
Anupam Kher and Satish Kaushik praised Ranaut's direction in the clip; Shreyas Talpade also featured.
The film released in cinemas on 17 January 2025 and is currently streaming on Netflix .
Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed on 25 June , marking the Emergency proclamation by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 in 1975 .
Actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut on 25 June marked Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas by reflecting on India's Emergency period (1975–77), describing it as a direct assault on the Constitution and democratic values. Ranaut, who directed, produced, and starred in the film Emergency, shared a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram to mark the occasion.
What Kangana Said
In her Instagram post, Ranaut wrote: 'Today, we pay homage to all those who steadfastly defended democratic values during one of the darkest chapters in India's history, the Emergency. The Emergency was a direct assault on our Constitution. It witnessed the suspension of civil liberties, curbs on freedom of expression, arrests of political leaders, journalists, social workers and an assault on institutions that are the bedrock of our democracy.'
She also urged followers to watch her film on Netflix, adding: 'I directed, acted and produced a film on this subject, as a filmmaker it was an extraordinary experience, do watch it on @netflix_in #SamvidhanHatyaDiwas.'
Cast Praises Ranaut's Direction
The behind-the-scenes clip featured tributes to Ranaut's filmmaking from her Emergency co-stars. Anupam Kher said: 'I'm very excited to be working with Kangana as a director. I have worked with her a lot in this film. And I can say with confidence that she is one of the finest directors.' Veteran actor Satish Kaushik added: 'She believes in details. She's an actor's director.' Actor Shreyas Talpade was among others in the cast who echoed praise for her direction.
What Is Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas
Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed annually on 25 June to mark the proclamation of the National Emergency on 25 June 1975, when then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed invoked Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbances. The day honours those who endured hardships during the 1975–77 Emergency period and serves as a reminder of the events that, critics argue, fundamentally undermined constitutional governance.
About the Film Emergency
Ranaut's film Emergency, based on the 1975–77 Emergency, featured her in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film released in cinemas on 17 January 2025 and is currently streaming on Netflix. The project marked Ranaut's debut as a director on a major political biographical drama.
The occasion continues to draw political attention each year, with the ruling BJP government having formally designated 25 June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas — a move that opposition parties have contested as politically motivated.
Point of View
She occupies a rare space where BJP political messaging and Bollywood marketing reinforce each other. The BJP's decision to formally name 25 June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas remains contested by the opposition, which sees it as a selective reading of history. Ranaut, simultaneously an MP and a filmmaker on the subject, is the most visible individual at that intersection — which makes her Instagram post politically legible in ways a typical celebrity tribute is not.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas and why is it observed on 25 June?
Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas is observed on 25 June each year to mark the proclamation of the National Emergency on 25 June 1975, when President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed invoked Article 352 of the Constitution. The day honours those who suffered during the 1975–77 Emergency and serves as a reminder of the constitutional crisis that unfolded during that period.
What did Kangana Ranaut post on Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas?
Kangana Ranaut shared a behind-the-scenes video from her film Emergency on Instagram, calling the 1975 Emergency a 'direct assault' on India's Constitution. She paid tribute to those who defended democratic values during the period and encouraged followers to watch the film on Netflix.
What is Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency about?
Emergency is a biographical drama directed, produced, and starring Kangana Ranaut, based on India's Emergency period from 1975 to 1977. Ranaut plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film, which released in cinemas on 17 January 2025 and is currently available on Netflix.
What did co-stars say about Kangana Ranaut's direction in the Emergency BTS clip?
Anupam Kher called Ranaut 'one of the finest directors' and said he was excited to work with her. Satish Kaushik described her as 'an actor's director' who 'believes in details.' Shreyas Talpade was among others in the cast who praised her direction in the clip.
Who declared the 1975 Emergency and under which constitutional provision?
Then-President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared the National Emergency on 25 June 1975 under Article 352 of the Constitution of India, citing internal disturbances as the grounds for the proclamation. The Emergency lasted until 1977.
