Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut-directed upcoming film ‘Emergency’, which is based on the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will not be released in Bangladesh as political relations between the neighboring countries remain tense.
The film, which highlights the turbulent period of emergency declared in India by Indira Gandhi in 1975, has found itself at the center of a geopolitical standoff.
A source close to the matter revealed, “The decision to stop the screening of ‘Emergency’ in Bangladesh is linked to the existing strained relations between India and Bangladesh. The ban is less about the content of the film and more about the current political dynamics ” Between the two countries.”
Indira Gandhi played a key role in the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan, even though the US demanded her not to interfere in the affairs of both countries. Nevertheless, Indira went ahead because she felt it would be economically better to wage war against Pakistan, rather than taking in millions of refugees, which resulted in the India-Pakistan War of 1971.
When the United States threatened India with a naval invasion by deploying its aircraft destroyers in the Bay of Bengal, India received the support of the USSR, as they deployed nuclear-armed submarines and warships. Relations between India and the USSR continued to grow even after the collapse of the USSR, resulting in Russia becoming a major power in the Eastern Bloc.
‘Emergency’ highlights the role of the Indian Army and Indira Gandhi’s government in the 1971 Bangladeshi War of Independence and the support given to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is known as the Father of Bangladesh and who referred to Indira Gandhi as Goddess Durga.
The film also depicts the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the hands of Bangladeshi extremists, it is believed that these factors led to the film being banned in Bangladesh.
India fought a two-front war against West Pakistan and the then East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was India’s only ally in the subcontinent in the present era. However, after the removal of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power, the equations between the two countries have changed significantly. India now finds itself surrounded by hostile neighbors on all sides, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and the Taliban terrorist government in Afghanistan.
