During the Emergency, Indu's husband, a government employee, plans to use the situation to his advantage and move ahead in his career. However, Indu's sense of morality sets her on a different path.
Parvin Dabas as Govardhab Singh, IRS Joint Director, IB
Production
Indu Sarkar includes a recreated version of Aziz Nazan's popular qawwali, Chadhta Sooraj Dheere Dheere Dhal Jaayega. Rashmi Jha was roped in to play the role of Farzana, which is inspired from socialite Rukhsana Sultana.
Release
The film was released at around 825 screens across India.
Critical reception
The film garnered mixed reviews from critics. Nitin Bhave of Times of India praised the film for its acting performances and gave the film 3 out of 5 stars. Rajeev Masand of News18 gave 2 stars by saying "This is at Best an Average Movie". Hindustan Times criticised the director's confused narrative by giving 2 stars. Giving 2 stars Indian Express also panned the film by saying "A watered-down, bloodless version of the Emergency".
Controversy
The film generated controversy since the time its trailer got released. Indian National Congress supporters heavily criticised the director Bhandarkar's attempt to portray former Prime Minister of India Mrs.Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in a bad light. However, the director clarified that it was not a biopic on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi under whose regime the Emergency was declared in the country in 1975. Sanjay Gandhi's alleged daughter Priya Singh Paul approached the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the film. However, Bombay High Court rejected the plea after Paul failed to present solid evidence of her association with the lineage of Sanjay Gandhi. Just two days before the release Paul moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the release of the movie after Bombay High Court dismissed her plea. The Supreme Court also refused to stay the release of the film and quoted it as "The movie is an artistic expression within the parameters of law." After the release of the film several supporters of the Indian National Congress protested and even tried to stall the screening. Congress and BJP workers clashed in front of a cinema hall in Indore. Police used canes to disperse the BJP and Congress workers who came to blows.
The film opened at 8.50 million nett on its first day, as reported by Box office India. The film grossed 47 million net in first weekend. It was declared a disaster.
