Kangana Ranaut’s latest cinematic venture, Emergency, premiered on Netflix on March 14, 2025, yet it seems to have been eclipsed by the newfound popularity of Nadaaniyan, a film released just a week earlier. While Emergency has made its mark by securing a position on the Top 10 Non-English films globally, it is undeniable that Nadaaniyan has garnered even more attention, raking in significantly higher viewership figures.
Based on the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Emergency depicts the tumultuous 21-month emergency period in India from 1975 to 1977. Directed by Kangana Ranaut herself, the film confronts key historical events yet faced a wave of criticism prior to its release. Critics have been quick to label it as misrepresentational, particularly concerning its portrayal of religious themes.
Despite these controversies, the film opened to an audience eager to witness Ranaut’s portrayal of Gandhi. In its opening week on Netflix, Emergency garnered 1.4 million views, and holds a rating of 5.2/10 on IMDb. However, even this performance pales in comparison to that of Nadaaniyan, which, despite being rife with poor reviews and trolling, attracted approximately 3.9 million views in its initial week of streaming on Netflix.
In comparison, Nadaaniyan, directed by Shauna Gautam and featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, has drawn a mixed response, yet its youthful appeal seems to overshadow more serious narratives. The romantic comedy follows the story of Arjun (played by Ibrahim) and Pia (played by Khushi), whose plan to fake a relationship spirals into a maze of unexpected feelings and emotional entanglements. Despite its IMDb rating of 3.1/10, the film has resonated with viewers, possibly due to the viewer's curiosity about its leads and their on-screen chemistry.
While both films are now available on the same platform, the difference in audience engagement is perplexing. It's as though viewers chose to tune into the lesser-rated film for sheer entertainment, rather than the historical drama presented in Emergency.
Furthermore, the disparity in viewership is accentuated by the context of their respective releases. Nadaaniyan arrived on Netflix on March 7, 2025, allowing it to capture the audience's attention first. Its strategic release may have influenced its subsequent success on the platform.
As for Kangana Ranaut’s film, the initial reception did lead to substantial discussions regarding its content. Despite opening in theaters on January 17, 2025, and managing to collect a total of only Rs 16.52 crore, it seems that the Netflix audience is less swayed by critical reviews than by the prospect of lighter entertainment, especially following two months post-theatrical release.
This spectacle raises a key question regarding audience behavior: Is it the attraction of celebrities and their personal narratives that create greater engagement? Films such as Nadaaniyan not only promote young talent but also engage viewers with relatable, albeit fictional, dilemmas, which may explain its higher viewership despite critical shortcomings.
Kangana’s frustration seems apparent as she contemplates the disconnect between high-profile cinematic endeavors and viewer preferences in a recent interview. She challenged her critics, asserting, “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.” Her ardent defense of Emergency speaks to the struggles many filmmakers face in an evolving industry consumed by social media opinions.
Meanwhile, in a nod of support, Vikram Bhatt expressed optimism regarding Ibrahim Ali Khan’s future, exclaiming after watching Nadaaniyan, “Ibrahim Ali Khan will be a big star.” Such endorsements can invigorate emerging stars, giving them the push they might require in an industry rife with competition and preconceived judgments.
As it stands, the contrasting performances of Emergency and Nadaaniyan highlight the shifting dynamics of audience tastes. With serious dramas facing stiff competition from lighter narratives, filmmakers might need to rethink their approaches when crafting stories for contemporary viewers.
The tale of these two films serves as a reminder that, in the world of cinema, numbers often reflect more than mere success; they signal deeper currents of societal trends and viewer preferences that are crucial for industry stakeholders to understand.
