Kangana Ranaut’s ambitious political biopic Emergency aimed to recreate a pivotal chapter in Indian history, portraying the controversial 1975–77 Emergency period. Despite its bold subject and star power, the film struggled to resonate with audiences and critics alike, leading to a lackluster box office performance.

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Film Overview

• Title: Emergency
• Release Date: January 17, 2025
• Genre: History
• Director: Kangana Ranaut
• Lead Actress: Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi
• Total Collection (India): ₹18.25 crore
• Box Office Rank (All-Time): #594
• Genre Average Collection: ₹107.36 crore
• 2025 Yearly Average Collection: ₹70.34 crore

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Box Office Performance

Emergency opened with a modest ₹2 crore on its first day. Despite a slight uptick over the weekend, the film’s earnings declined sharply in subsequent weeks.

Week 1 Collections:

• Day 1 (Fri): ₹2.5 crore
• Day 2 (Sat): ₹3.6 crore
• Day 3 (Sun): ₹4.25 crore
• Total Week 1: ₹14.3 crore

Week 2 & Beyond:

• Day 13: ₹0.4 crore
• Day 14: ₹0.85 crore
• Day 15: ₹1.15 crore
• Day 16: ₹0.2 crore
• Day 17: ₹0.21 crore
• Day 18: ₹0.2 crore
• Day 19: ₹0.05 crore
• Total Collection: ₹18.15 crore

The film’s earnings dwindled significantly after the first week, with daily collections dropping below ₹1 crore by the second week. By the third week, daily earnings fell to mere lakhs.

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Comparative Analysis

Genre Comparison: Historical Films

Movie	Collection (₹ Cr)
Chhaava	613.90
Padmaavat	302.15
Tanhaji	279.74
The Kashmir Files	252.73
Bajirao Mastani	184.64
Emergency	18.25

Emergency significantly underperformed compared to other historical dramas, collecting only about 17% of the genre’s average..

Kangana Ranaut’s Top Grossing Films

Movie	Collection (₹ Cr)
Krrish 3	244.92
Tanu Weds Manu Returns	150.17
Manikarnika	92.19
Queen	61.23
Shootout At Wadala	60.18
Emergency	18.25

Compared to her previous successes, Emergency ranks as one of Kangana’s lowest-performing films at the box office.

2025 Top Grossers

Movie	Collection (₹ Cr)
Chhaava	613.90
Sky Force	131.83
Sikandar	111.03
Jaat	89.76
Kesari 2	79.23
Emergency	18.25

Emergency failed to make a significant impact in the 2025 box office landscape, trailing far behind the year’s top earners.

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Critical Reception

Critics and audiences had mixed reactions to Emergency.

• Positive Notes: Kangana Ranaut’s performance was praised for its intensity and commitment.
• Criticisms: The film faced backlash for its weak narrative, lack of depth, and overuse of computer graphics.
• Audience Feedback: Many viewers found the film to be slow-paced and lacking in engagement.

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Verdict

Emergency had the potential to be a compelling political drama, shedding light on a significant period in India’s history. However, despite Kangana Ranaut’s dedicated performance, the film faltered due to its weak storytelling and lack of audience engagement. Its underwhelming box office performance reflects the disconnect between the film’s ambition and its execution.

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Emergency serves as a reminder that even with a powerful subject and a talented lead, a film’s success hinges on cohesive storytelling and audience connection.