Vivek Agnihotri's "The Bengal Files," a film exploring the communal riots of August 1946 in Kolkata, has been released amidst a political storm, with the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) at loggerheads. The film's release has been fraught with controversy, particularly in West Bengal, where Agnihotri and the film's producer, Pallavi Joshi, have alleged that theatre owners are being pressured by the state government and police not to screen the movie.
Agnihotri has accused the West Bengal government of creating an "unofficial ban" on the film, alleging that theatre owners are being threatened with "dire consequences" if they screen "The Bengal Files". He stated that the producers are considering legal action, contending that the government's actions are "illegal and unconstitutional". Joshi wrote an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention and support for the film's release in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC of threatening exhibitors to prevent screenings.
Despite the filmmakers' claims, no official ban has been declared in West Bengal. However, "The Bengal Files" is not being screened in any major theatre in Kolkata. Ticket booking platforms also do not offer options to book tickets for the film in the city. Theatre owners have cited prior commitments as the reason for not screening the film. Navin Choukhani, Director of Navina Cinema, stated they had a prior commitment with "Baaghi 4," while Arijit Dutta of Priya Cinema said they would be running "Baaghi 4" along with two Bengali films. These explanations have been viewed skeptically by Agnihotri, who maintains that political pressure is the primary reason behind the reluctance of theatre owners to screen his film.
The controversy surrounding "The Bengal Files" extends beyond the screening issues. The trailer launch in Kolkata was disrupted, with Agnihotri alleging "dictatorship and fascism". A senior Kolkata Police official stated that the organizers had failed to obtain an amusement license required for such screenings. Furthermore, at least two Bengali actors reportedly withdrew from the project.
The TMC has strongly criticized the film. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused Agnihotri of attempting to incite division within society and of creating "propaganda" to serve the BJP's political agenda. Ghosh challenged Agnihotri to create films about incidents in BJP-led states before focusing on Bengal.
"The Bengal Files" is the third installment in Agnihotri's "Files" trilogy, following "The Tashkent Files" and "The Kashmir Files". The film delves into the events surrounding Direct Action Day in 1946, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, and the Noakhali riots. The film depicts the violence and its aftermath, claiming that these historical events were deliberately suppressed or ignored. The film has received an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC, citing extreme violence and gory content. Its runtime is 204 minutes.
The film has received mixed reactions. Some viewers have called it a "gut-wrenching cinematic experience" and praised its storytelling. Others have dismissed it as biased and "propaganda". Some critics have pointed out that the film lacks subtlety and nuance, and that its excessive runtime detracts from its depth. A man in Kolkata sought a stay on the screening, claiming the film misrepresented his grandfather, a historical figure from that era. Others criticized the film for showing a selective version of events and presenting a one-sided narrative of the Hindu-Muslim conflict.
Despite the controversies and challenges, "The Bengal Files" has been released nationwide on September 5, 2025. However, its screening in West Bengal, particularly Kolkata, remains uncertain due to the alleged pressure on theatre owners. Agnihotri has vowed to pursue legal action if West Bengal prevents the film's release.
