Vivek Agnihotri's latest film, The Bengal Files, has been released in theaters on September 5, 2025. The film is the third and final installment in Agnihotri's "Files Trilogy," following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The Bengal Files explores the communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s, specifically the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, portraying these events and their aftermath as a genocide. The film suggests that these historical events were deliberately suppressed or ignored.
Agnihotri announced the project in April 2022, after the success of The Kashmir Files. Initially, the film was titled The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter, but Agnihotri later renamed it to The Bengal Files: Right to Life in June 2025, reflecting its focus on Bengal history. This title change was influenced by a social media poll where 99% of participants favored a title that better represented the film's subject.
The film features a cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur.
The Bengal Files has a runtime of 204 minutes and has been certified A (adults only) by the CBFC due to its extreme violence and gory content.
Agnihotri has stated that he will take legal action if the film's release is prevented in West Bengal. Actor Victor Banerjee has appealed to the President of India to ensure the film's peaceful screening, free from intimidation or interference, safeguarding the rights of artists and audiences. As of September 4, 2025, the film had no screenings scheduled in West Bengal. Agnihotri has appealed to West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee via social media, clarifying that the film aims to confront truth and seek healing rather than spread hate.
Advance bookings for The Bengal Files have generated below-average revenue, but have witnessed increased shows. As of September 4, 2025, the film had approximately 1,154 screenings across India and had earned ₹28 lakh from advance bookings, with an expected opening day business of ₹61.79 lakh. Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, and Maharashtra are the top contributors to the film's earnings.
The film is expected to be available for streaming on Zee5 after its theatrical run. Typically, films appear on digital platforms about a month after their theatrical debut, depending on box office performance.
Initial reviews of The Bengal Files have been highly positive, with viewers calling it a must-watch.
