Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film Emergency has sparked controversy even before its release, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami calling for a ban on the film in Punjab.
According to reports, Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that the film should not be released in the state as it allegedly defames the Sikh community.
The SGPC president claimed that the film would enrage the Sikh world and could potentially disrupt communal harmony in the state.
This development comes after the film was banned in Bangladesh, with the country's authorities citing similar reasons for the ban.
The film, which is directed by Kangana Ranaut, is a historical drama that revolves around the Emergency period in India, which was imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
While the film's trailer has generated a lot of interest among audiences, it has also drawn flak from certain sections of society, who claim that it distorts historical facts and presents a biased view of the Emergency period.
The SGPC's demand for a ban on the film in Punjab has sparked a debate about censorship and artistic freedom in India, with many questioning the committee's right to dictate what can and cannot be shown in cinemas.
It remains to be seen whether the Punjab government will accede to the SGPC's demand and ban the film in the state, or whether it will allow the film to be released, potentially sparking further controversy and debate.
As the row over Emergency continues to escalate, one thing is certain - the film has already generated a lot of buzz and controversy, even before its release.