Kangana Ranaut turns director again with Indira Gandhi biopic, Emergency; says no one can direct it better than her

Kangana Ranaut is stepping back in the director’s chair for her upcoming Indira Gandhi biopic, Emergency. The actress announced the news on the social media platform Koo.

The actress had earlier stepped up to helm Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019), when Krish had to step away due to other work commitments. She shared a co-directing credit for the film, in which she played the 19th century warrior queen.

Sharing an update on the film, Ranaut wrote, “Pleased to wear Director's hat again, after working on Emergency for more than a year I finally figured no one can direct it better than me, collaborating with fabulous writer Ritest Shah, even if it means sacrificing on various acting assignments I am determined to do it, my excitement is high this is going to be a tremendous journey, my leap to another league (sic).”

Yesterday, the actress also shared a photograph of herself getting a face and body scan in preparation for the film's shoot.

In January, Ranaut had unveiled the project, which is to be produced under her banner Manikarnika Films. The political drama was set to be directed by Sai Kabir. But the actress's latest statement suggests the two have parted ways.  

At the time, she had said of Emergency, “It is not a biopic of Indira Gandhi. It is a grand period film. To be precise, it is a political drama that will help my generation to understand [the] socio-political landscape of current India.”

Ranaut is awaiting the release of Thalaivi (2021), the biopic of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, which was due to be released in March and was postponed due to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.