Controversy Surrounds Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Bengal Files’: What You Need to Know

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri unveiled the trailer of his upcoming film The Bengal Files on August 16, 2025, in Kolkata. However, the event was disrupted when the original venue cancelled the screening, forcing organisers to shift the launch to a hotel. Agnihotri alleged that the West Bengal authorities attempted to block the release of the trailer under political pressure.

What is ‘The Bengal Files’ About?

Originally titled The Delhi Files , the movie explores the communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s, focusing on the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946 (Direct Action Day) and the Noakhali riots. The film portrays the four-day-long riots in Calcutta (now Kolkata) that claimed nearly 10,000 lives following the All-India Muslim League’s call for a separate Muslim homeland.


The film is the third installment in Agnihotri’s Files trilogy, after The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. Written and directed by Agnihotri, it is co-produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi and features Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar. It is scheduled for release on September 5, 2025.

Why Was the Trailer Launch Halted?

The trailer was initially planned to be unveiled at a leading cinema hall in Kolkata but was cancelled by the theatre chain at the last moment. The event was eventually moved to a hotel and launched at 1 pm.

According to Kolkata Police, organisers had failed to secure the mandatory amusement licence from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. A senior police official stated that the organisers neither informed the local police in advance nor produced the required permissions when asked.


Reacting to the incident, co-producer Pallavi Joshi said, “Because the story is rooted in Bengal, we felt it would be most appropriate to launch the trailer here, but the government silenced us. What happened was not merely an assault on the film, but an assault on democracy itself.”

Row Over Gopal Chandra Mukherjee’s Portrayal

The film has also drawn criticism over its portrayal of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, a prominent Bengali figure who resisted mob violence during the 1946 riots. His grandson, Santanu Mukherjee, has filed a police complaint against Agnihotri, accusing the film of distorting his grandfather’s legacy. He has also sent a legal notice demanding an apology.


In response, Agnihotri defended his depiction, saying, “He was a hero, and I have shown him as a hero. I have taken excerpts from his BBC interview verbatim. The people of Bengal regard him as a hero, and that is exactly how he is presented in the film.”

Title Change Sparks Debate

Another controversy arose when actor Saswata Chatterjee revealed that he was unaware of the title change from The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files until after the shoot was complete. Speaking to The Wall, Chatterjee distanced himself from the historical debate, saying, “I am just an actor. I liked a character and I played it. It’s not my job to verify historical accuracy. If people believe facts are being distorted, they can go to court.”

Release and Expectations

Despite the controversies, The Bengal Files is set for a theatrical release on September 5, 2025. With its sensitive subject matter and the legacy of Agnihotri’s previous films, the movie is expected to spark further debate and discussion around its historical representation and political undertones.