Few films ignite a firestorm before their first frame lights up the screen; 'The Bengal Files'has already become the epicentre of a national debate. Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film, which is yet to be released,has found itself entangled in FIRs, political crossfire, and mounting public scrutiny. In this article, we delve into the details about the controversies surrounding the film.
The Bengal Files Row:A Cinematic Storm Before Its Premiere
Even before reaching the silver screen, Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files has ignited one of the most fierce cultural debates in recent memory. The film comes as the third instalment in Agnihotri’s provocative ‘Files’ trilogy, following ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files,’ venturing into the volatile history of Bengal in the 1940s. Yet, instead of uniting audiences in anticipation, it has found itself embroiled in FIRs, legal disputes, and accusations of historical distortion.
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The film traces its story through the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946, infamously remembered as 'Direct Action Day,' and the subsequent Noakhali riots. The film is orchestrated against the backdrop of the Muslim League’s call for a separate homeland, the four-day carnage that claimed an estimated 10,000 lives, with Hindu communities bearing the brunt of the violence.
The film promises grandeur, featuring a star-studded ensemble, Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar.
Trailer Launch Drama in Kolkata
The controversy reached fever pitch on August 16, 2025, when the much-anticipated trailer launch in Kolkata was abruptly disrupted. The launch was initially planned to take place at a prominent cinema hall, however, the event was cancelled by the theatre chain, reportedly under political duress. The trailer was eventually unveiled in a hotel, with Agnihotri alleging deliberate interference by West Bengal authorities.
Kolkata Police, however, maintained their position: the organisers lacked the mandatory amusement licence and had failed to notify the municipal corporation or law enforcement. To Agnihotri and co-producer Pallavi Joshi, this intervention was not bureaucratic but ideological. As Joshi declared, “It was not merely an assault on the film, but on democracy itself.”
The Gopal Chandra Mukherjee Controversy
Perhaps the gravest contention lies in the film’s alleged portrayal of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, a revered Bengali freedom fighter remembered for his resistance against mob violence. His grandson, Santanu Mukherjee, has lodged both a police complaint and a legal notice, accusing the film of misrepresenting his grandfather as a butcher—an assertion Santanu deems factually incorrect and insulting.
While Agnihotri insists he has honoured Mukherjee as a hero, citing verbatim references from historic interviews, Santanu remains adamant that the film tarnishes his grandfather’s legacy and diminishes his contributions to Bengal’s history.
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Title Change Sparks Fresh Questions
The film’s title change from The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files has fuelled speculation and unease. Actor Saswata Chatterjee, who plays a key role, admitted his ignorance of the change until after filming was complete. Distancing himself from the historical debate, Chatterjee emphasised, “I am not a historian; I am simply an actor. My task is to embody the role, not adjudicate history.”
His dispassionate stance reflects a wider unease among the cast, caught between the cinematic narrative and the political maelstrom it has unleashed.
FIRs and Legal Battles Mount
The storm has not been confined to debates. Multiple FIRs have been filed in West Bengal against the film and its director, alleging that the narrative portrays the state in a negative light and misrepresents revered figures. Santanu Mukherjee’s allegations, particularly around the derogatory titles “Kashai” (butcher) and “Patha” (goat), have intensified calls for accountability.
If these legal battles gather momentum, the film’s theatrical release in West Bengal, scheduled for September 5, 2025, may face serious hurdles.
Cinema, History, and the Politics of Memory
At its heart, The Bengal Files is not simply a cinematic project; it has become a battleground where history, politics, and artistic freedom collide. For Agnihotri, the film is a mission to narrate untold histories. For critics, it is a distortion that risks inflaming communal wounds.
As with his previous works, Agnihotri thrives amidst controversy. Yet this time, the stakes are higher: not only for the filmmaker but also for the fragile balance between memory, representation, and freedom of expression in Indian cinema.
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Image Credits: IMDb
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