From Kishore Kumar to Dev Anand: Bollywood celebrities who defied Indira Gandhi's Emergency

Emergency was declared by Indira Gandhi on June 25 in 1975. Exactly 50 years later people continue to discuss whether it was the right decision by the then Prime Minister of India or not. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to know how Bollywood celebrities who were hugely popular and held quite a clout in those days reacted to this Emergency that lasted for around 21 months.

Kishore Kumar turned down Congress invitations

Think of Emergency, think of this man

Emergency was imposed this day in 1975. The man you see here was one of those who suffered as a result, though rather mildly. Kishore Kumar’s songs were banned from AIR and Doordarshan for he had refused to sing for Congress. Till date I… pic.twitter.com/1coR0XjUXD

— Anuj Dhar (@anujdhar) June 25, 2025

At that time many celebrities wanted to be in the good books of Indira Gandhi and followed the line directed by her. However, some notable film celebrities decided not to abide the rules laid down by the severe policy of the then PM that put huge restrictions on civil liberties.

A few of them had to pay a huge price but they remained undeterred and fearless. One of them was singer, actor and producer Kishore Kumar. He rejected an invitation from Congress to perform at a Youth Congress rally to be held in Mumbai.

Kishore Kumar was also requested to make and participate in commercials made to promote the 20-point Economic Program of Sanjay Gandhi that was introduced after the Emergency was imposed. However the legendary singer turned down this invitation.

In return V C Shukla who had invited Kishore Kumar for this program banned his songs and movies from being aired on AIR India and Doordarshan. It was a way of then government to not only punish Kishore Kumar but also to influence other celebrities.

At that time when there was no social media or private channels it was a big blow to a great artist. But Kishore da did not support the impositions and the government. The ban on Kishore Kumar lifted only after the Congress party was ruled out of power and Emergency ended.

Dev Anand was fearless, openly defied Emergency

Dev Anand along with his two brothers Chetan and Vijay Anand openly defied Emergency. He publicly spoke about Emergency quite aggressively. Even in his autobiography Romancing with Life Dev Anand has candidly put forth his views on Indira Gandhi and the period of Emergency.

1975 :: During Emergency Government Banned Movies of Dev Anand on Doordarshan pic.twitter.com/ZhAslf2bwC

— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) June 25, 2017

As a result, Dev Anand faced lot of hurdles while shooting for his movie Des Pardes. But fearless Dev spoke against Emergency on public platforms supported by his friends Pran, Danny Dengzongpa, Sadhana, and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Dev Anand also had formed National Party to oppose Indira and Sanjay Gandhi.

Manoj Kumar won against government in the court

Manoj Kumar also refused to direct a pro-Emergency documentary written by Amrita Pritam. Rather he mocked Pritam asking whether she had sold her soul. An ashamed Amrita then asked Manoj Kuma to burn her script. But the government made things difficult for him by releasing Shor two weeks ahead of its theatrical release on Doordarshan. As a result the movie flopped.

What's common to Dev Anand, Kishore Kumar, Manoj Kumar, the legendary Satyajit Ray and National award winner actress Snehalatha Reddy?
All of them opposed emergency and then govt banned their movies or imposed curbs. Snehalatha was jailed which resulted in her death.
Obviously… pic.twitter.com/EPVc0fnqft

— D Prasanth Nair (@DPrasanthNair) June 25, 2024

Even his movie Dus Nambri was banned a few days before it was slated to release. Manoj Kumar filed a case against the government and won it in the court which was a big blow to the pride of Indira Gandhi. Other celebrities like Gulzaar, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kumaar, V Shantaram and Uttam Kumar also openly talked against the Emergency.