The Bengal Files reignites debate over forgotten history, as Vivek Agnihotri’s film explores the 1946 Bengal riots
The Bengal Files Controversy: Truth, Turmoil, and the Battle for Memory – In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, few filmmakers have stirred public discourse quite like Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri. Known for his provocative storytelling and unapologetic political stance, Agnihotri returns with The Bengal Files, the third installment in his “Files” trilogy. Following the seismic impact of The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, this new film dives into one of the most painful and politically charged chapters of Indian history, the 1946 Direct Action Day riots and the Noakhali genocide.
But the film’s journey to the public eye has been anything but smooth.
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A Trailer Launch Disrupted
On August 16, 2025, the trailer for The Bengal Files was set to be unveiled in Kolkata, a city central to the film’s historical narrative. However, the event was abruptly derailed when unknown individuals allegedly cut all the electrical wiring at the venue, forcing organizers to cancel the launch. Agnihotri, visibly frustrated, called the incident a “dictatorial act” and criticized the local administration for failing to ensure basic law and order.
Despite the setback, Agnihotri remained undeterred. He relocated the launch to a private hotel and later visited Kalighat Temple, seeking spiritual strength and reaffirming his commitment to telling stories that, in his words, “India has forgotten or suppressed.”
The Film’s Premise: Revisiting Forgotten Tragedies
The Bengal Files: Right to Life aims to spotlight the pre-Partition violence that unfolded in Bengal, particularly the Direct Action Day riots initiated by the Muslim League and the retaliatory violence that followed. Agnihotri has described the events as a “Hindu genocide”, a term that has sparked both support and criticism.
The film’s narrative is expected to weave together personal stories, political decisions, and religious tensions, much like its predecessors. It seeks to challenge mainstream historical accounts and provoke a re-examination of how India remembers its past.
Star Power and Symbolism
The cast includes Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, and Anupam Kher, who reportedly plays Mahatma Gandhi a casting choice that has already generated buzz. Kher’s portrayal is likely to be central to the film’s moral and ideological debates, especially given Gandhi’s controversial role during Partition-era violence.
Agnihotri’s films often rely on strong performances to drive emotionally charged narratives, and The Bengal Files appears to follow suit. The trailer hints at intense courtroom scenes, historical reenactments, and emotionally raw dialogues that aim to resonate with audiences across ideological divides.
Agnihotri’s Role: Filmmaker or Political Commentator?
Vivek Agnihotri is no stranger to controversy. His films are not just cinematic experiences, they are political statements. He has positioned himself as a filmmaker who challenges “intellectual elites” and “urban Naxals,” terms he frequently uses to describe critiques of his work.
With The Bengal Files, Agnihotri continues his mission to “decolonize Indian minds” by revisiting historical events that he believes have been whitewashed or ignored. His approach is unapologetically partisan, but it’s also undeniably effective in sparking national conversations.
Whether one agrees with his politics or not, Agnihotri has carved out a unique space in Indian cinema one where history, ideology, and emotion collide.
The Political Undercurrent
The timing of the trailer launch—just months before key state elections has led many to speculate about the film’s political motivations. Critics argue that Agnihotri’s films serve as soft propaganda, reinforcing narratives aligned with the ruling party’s ideology. Supporters, however, see his work as a necessary correction to decades of historical neglect.
In Kolkata, a city known for its intellectual rigor and political activism, the disruption of the trailer launch was more than a logistical hiccup, it was a symbolic clash between competing visions of history and identity.
The Bengal Files Controversy – What’s Next?
The Bengal Files is slated for theatrical release on September 5, 2025, and expectations are high. Whether it will ignite another wave of national debate or face censorship challenges remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Vivek Agnihotri has once again positioned himself at the intersection of art and ideology. As India continues to grapple with its complex past, films like The Bengal Files remind us that history is not just about dates and facts, it’s about who gets to tell the story.