Veteran journalist and author Coomi Kapoor has issued a legal notice to Manikarnika Films and Netflix, alleging breach of contract and reputational damage over the portrayal of historical events in the film "Emergency". Based on the Emergency period imposed in India during the 1970s, Kapoor’s book "The Emergency: A Personal History" was reportedly used as a reference point by the film's makers, a fact she claims was neither adequately credited nor consented to for promotional purposes.

According to Kapoor, the production house—helmed by actor-director Kangana Ranaut—had signed a contractual agreement with her in 2021 for the adaptation rights. However, she alleges the final film deviated significantly from the terms. She also claims that no script or screenplay was shared with her for approval, and that the film misrepresents certain historical events and characters, thus distorting the spirit and factual integrity of her book.

Kapoor has further objected to the promotional association of her name and her book with the film, despite the contract reportedly requiring her explicit consent for such usage. She asserts that these misrepresentations and unauthorized references have led to reputational harm, prompting her to take legal recourse.

The film "Emergency", which stars Ranaut as Indira Gandhi, had already been mired in controversy due to its subject matter and was recently released after undergoing revisions demanded by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). While the makers have not yet responded publicly to Kapoor’s allegations, the issue is expected to raise significant questions around intellectual property rights, historical accountability, and ethical practices in film adaptations.