Pallavi Joshi, actress and producer of the upcoming film The Bengal Files, has voiced her disappointment with the West Bengal government, alleging a "lack of support" and active obstruction of the film's promotional activities. The film, directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, delves into the sensitive and controversial topic of the communal riots that occurred in Bengal during the 1940s, specifically focusing on the Direct Action Day of 1946 and the Noakhali riots.

Joshi stated that the filmmakers had planned to launch the trailer in Kolkata on August 16, the 79th anniversary of Direct Action Day, a historically significant date related to the film's subject matter. However, the event faced disruptions that Joshi and Agnihotri attribute to the West Bengal government and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). According to reports, the trailer launch event in Kolkata was disrupted midway, with allegations that authorities intervened and even cut the wires to prevent the screening. Joshi expressed feeling hurt by the "physical interruption" of the trailer launch, describing it as an assault on creative expression. Multiplexes in Kolkata reportedly backed out from hosting the event due to political pressure, forcing the team to relocate.

Joshi has criticized the state government's actions, stating that instead of silencing filmmakers who are trying to bring historical truths to light, the government should be helping them. She views the opposition as an attempt to suppress the film's message and has expressed concern over the lack of freedom of expression. Agnihotri has gone further, calling the situation an "unconstitutional attack" on free expression and a threat to democracy. Mithun Chakraborty, who stars in the film, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the opposition is politically motivated and stems from a fear of confronting the truth.

The controversy surrounding The Bengal Files extends beyond the alleged obstruction of the trailer launch. The film has faced backlash over its portrayal of historical events and figures. Shantanu Mukherjee, the grandson of Gopal Mukherjee, a historical figure depicted in the film, has filed a police complaint, accusing the filmmakers of misrepresenting his grandfather's legacy. Some members of the ruling TMC have even labeled the movie a "political video" created as a "pre-election assignment".

Adding to the film's troubles, veteran Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee and actor Saurav Das have distanced themselves from the project. Chatterjee claimed he was misled about the film's content and was not given access to the full script. Das clarified that he does not support Nazi ideology and wanted to ensure the public understood his position clearly regarding his portrayal of Gopal Patha in the film. Agnihotri, however, has denied these claims, stating that the actors are facing pressure due to the political climate in Bengal.

Despite the controversies and challenges, The Bengal Files is scheduled to be released on September 5. The film is the third installment in Agnihotri's "Files" trilogy, following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, both of which also sparked significant debate. The Bengal Files aims to shed light on a painful chapter of Indian history, exploring the communal violence and human suffering that occurred during the Bengal riots of 1946. Whether it will succeed in sparking meaningful dialogue or further inflame political tensions remains to be seen.