Director Vivek Agnihotri and actress Pallavi Joshi, known for their film "The Kashmir Files," have reportedly appealed to President Droupadi Murmu regarding their upcoming movie, "The Bengal Files," seeking its "protection" in West Bengal. The film, which explores communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including events like the 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, has already courted controversy.

Agnihotri and Joshi have voiced concerns over freedom of expression in West Bengal, alleging disruptions and obstructions related to the film's trailer launch in Kolkata. They claimed that venue owners withdrew permission at the last moment, and the trailer launch event faced disruption, which they believe indicates intervention by the state government.

Adding to the controversy, three FIRs have been filed against the makers of "The Bengal Files". One FIR was registered in Murshidabad district following the release of the movie's teaser campaign. Another FIR was filed at Lake Town Police in Kolkata. A more recent FIR was registered against Agnihotri for allegedly "wrongfully" portraying freedom fighter Gopal Mukherjee (also known as Gopal Patha) as a "butcher" in the film. Santana Mukherjee, Gopal Mukherjee's grandson, stated that the family did not give prior permission to portray his grandfather and strongly objected to the "butcher" description. He explained that his grandfather, besides being part of the freedom fighters' group 'Anushilon Samity', owned goat-meat shops and took up arms to protect people during the 1946 Calcutta riots.

Agnihotri has defended his portrayal, stating that Gopal Mukherjee is an inspired character in the film and not central to the plot. He also mentioned respecting Gopal Mukherjee and only showing what Mukherjee himself had said in a BBC interview.

Amidst the legal challenges, Agnihotri has asserted that he will pursue legal avenues if the film's release is stalled in West Bengal. He emphasized the film's certification by the censor board without any cuts, affirming its responsible and sincere production. Agnihotri also refuted claims of distorting Bengal's history, maintaining that he is telling the "true history" of the region.

The film's planned trailer launch in Kolkata on August 16 was interrupted by police officers, who stopped the screening, citing violations of the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1954, specifically staging a public screening without clearance. Authorities also noted the absence of an amusement license from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and a lack of prior notification to the police.

"The Bengal Files," scheduled for release on September 5, stars Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar. Agnihotri has characterized it as an Indian film that tells the truth about Bengal's history and expressed confidence that Bengalis will be proud of the film.