Kangana Ranaut's political drama, Emergency, debuted on Netflix on March 14, 2025, capturing the audience's attention with its portrayal of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's controversial era. Despite achieving a commendable seventh place in the global rankings for non-English films, Emergency failed to surpass the viewership numbers of the newly released film Nadaaniyan, which features Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. While Emergency garnered only 1.4 million views within its first week, Nadaaniyan received 3.9 million views, a notable achievement given the mixed reviews both films faced.
The landscape of viewership rankings on Netflix has shown that popularity does not always correlate with critical acclaim. Despite Nadaaniyan suffering from poor reviews and online trolling, its appeal remains higher among viewers. It currently holds a lower rating than Emergency on IMDb, with 3.1 compared to Emergency's 5.2. The contrast between their viewership and critical reception has sparked intense discussions online.
During a recent interview, Kangana Ranaut addressed the criticism directed at her film. She urged the film industry to set aside preconceived notions about her work. “I want people of the film industry, considering the kind of films that they make, they shouldn’t have any preconceived notion about me. If they don’t talk like, ‘We know what she can do and what her limits are,’ then they don’t have to face so much insult,” she stated, emphasizing her resilience in the face of backlash.
The film Emergency, which was co-produced and directed by Ranaut, explores the events surrounding the 21-month Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. Following its theatrical premiere on January 17, the Netflix release was highly anticipated. Although it drew substantial interest, the film could not replicate the viewership success of its competitor, Nadaaniyan.
In light of the disappointing numbers, Karan Johar, the producer of Nadaaniyan, defended his project against widespread criticism. At the trailer launch for his forthcoming film, Akaal, he expressed his thoughts on the negative reviews affecting his production. He quipped, “People will always talk; it’s their job to do so.” His statements reflect a belief in the efforts made by the film's team, proving that engagement can lead to positive reception despite the reviews.
This unexpected viewer response raises questions about the relationship between critical feedback and public reception in the film industry. Nadaaniyan, despite being met with considerable trolling and negative reviews, has outperformed Emergency at the box office. The conflicting narratives on social media illustrate how audience attachment can sometimes diverge drastically from critics’ opinions.
As the conversation continues, both films remain in the spotlight, drawing attention to the ongoing struggles faced by filmmakers in light of increasing scrutiny and competitive viewership landscapes. With streaming platforms continuing to evolve, the importance of viewer numbers is becoming increasingly paramount, and the discussions brought forth by these conflicting ratings provide valuable insights into the current state of the film industry.
Going forward, it's clear that the landscape of cinema is constantly evolving and filmmakers must navigate the fine line between public appeal and critical acclaim. Amid controversies and discussions, both Ranaut's and Johar's projects reflect the complexities of filmmaking and audience engagement in a new media era.
