Kangana Ranaut’s much-awaited political drama Emergency has finally hit the theatres after a long wait of three years. The film, which tells the story of India’s Emergency period (1975-1977) under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was expected to make a strong impact. However, the opening-day collections have been disappointing.
According to early estimates, Emergency earned around ₹2.4 crore on its first day in India. The film had nearly 2,500 shows across the country but struggled to attract large audiences. It was released alongside Azaad, featuring Ajay Devgn’s nephew Amaan Devgn and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani.
A Slow Start Despite High Expectations
Fans were excited to see Kangana Ranaut portray Indira Gandhi in this political drama. As a director, she put in great effort to bring this historical event to life. However, the film’s performance at the box office has been below expectations. The audience response so far has been mixed, and it remains to be seen if positive word-of-mouth can help boost ticket sales in the coming days.
Comparison with Kangana’s Previous Films
Although Emergency had a slow start, its opening numbers are still better than some of Kangana’s recent films. Her 2023 release Tejas earned ₹1.20 crore on its first day, while Dhaakad (2022) collected only ₹55 lakh. However, Emergency is far behind her biggest box office success, Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), which opened with ₹8.85 crore.
What Lies Ahead?
Emergency has received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. While some appreciate Kangana’s powerful performance, others feel the film lacks the gripping storytelling needed for a political thriller. The coming weekend will be crucial in determining whether the film can pick up momentum or continue to struggle.
For now, Emergency has started on a slow note, and only time will tell if it can recover in the coming days.