The Bengal Files earns ₹14.5 crore in 11 days, sparking debate over historical accuracy
The Bengal Files Ignites Debate: A Controversial Journey Through History – Vivek Agnihotri’s latest film, The Bengal Files, has stirred up intense debate across India. Released on September 5, 2025, the film is the final chapter in Agnihotri’s politically charged “Files” trilogy, following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. With a runtime of 204 minutes and a cast led by Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, and Anupam Kher, the film revisits the traumatic events of Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946. But despite its emotional storytelling and historical ambition, The Bengal Files has faced a rocky road both at the box office and in public discourse.
A Film That Dares to Revisit Forgotten Pain
The Bengal Files Ignites Debate – The Bengal Files is not your typical Bollywood drama. It dives deep into one of the most violent chapters of India’s pre-independence history, the communal riots that erupted in Bengal in 1946. The film portrays these events as a genocide against Hindus, a claim that has sparked both support and criticism.
Key elements of the film include:
- Historical Setting: The story is set during Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946) and the Noakhali riots, which followed soon after. These events were marked by widespread violence, destruction, and displacement.
- Narrative Style: The film blends historical flashbacks with a modern-day investigation led by a CBI officer, played by Darshan Kumar, who is searching for a missing tribal girl.
- Emotional Tone: Supporters praise the film for its raw emotional portrayal of victims and survivors, while critics argue it simplifies complex history into a one-sided narrative.
Agnihotri has described the film as an attempt to “tell the truth that was suppressed for decades.” Whether audiences agree with that claim is another matter entirely.
Box Office Struggles and Mixed Audience Response
Despite its ambitious scope and star-studded cast, The Bengal Files has faced a tough time at the box office. After 11 days, the film has earned an estimated ₹14.5 crore net in India—a modest figure compared to Agnihotri’s previous hit, The Kashmir Files, which crossed ₹250 crore.
Here’s a breakdown of its performance:
- Opening Weekend: The film started with ₹1.75 crore on Day 1, followed by ₹2.25 crore on Saturday and ₹2.75 crore on Sunday.
- Weekday Drop: Earnings fell sharply to ₹1.15 crore on Monday and continued to decline throughout the week.
- Second Monday Crash: On Day 11, the film earned just ₹0.3 crore, reflecting a steep drop in attendance.
- Limited Screenings: Major cities like Mumbai and Delhi reduced the number of shows due to low turnout. In West Bengal, many theaters refused to screen the film altogether.
The film’s slow momentum has been attributed to stiff competition from other releases like Baaghi 4 and The Conjuring: Last Rites, as well as its polarizing content.
Controversy, Censorship, and Political Tensions
The Bengal Files has not only faced commercial challenges, it’s also been at the center of political and cultural controversy.
Here’s what’s fueling the debate:
- West Bengal Ban: No theaters in West Bengal have screened the film, despite its story being set in the region. Agnihotri claims that theater owners were threatened by political groups.
- Legal Challenges: A petition was filed in the Calcutta High Court by the grandson of freedom fighter Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, alleging that the film misrepresented his grandfather. The court dismissed the plea, but the controversy added fuel to the fire.
- Freedom of Expression: Co-producer Pallavi Joshi wrote an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, asking for protection of artistic freedom and alleging censorship.
- Political Allegations: Agnihotri has accused the Trinamool Congress of suppressing the film’s release. The Kolkata Police, however, stated that the filmmaker did not have proper permissions for public screenings.
These tensions have turned the film into more than just a cinematic experience—it’s now a flashpoint in India’s ongoing debate over history, identity, and free speech.
Cultural Impact and Global Reactions
While The Bengal Files has struggled domestically, it has received some positive attention abroad. International screenings and private events have drawn praise for the film’s emotional depth and historical focus.
Highlights include:
- Invitation-Only Screening: The film was shown at the National Library in Kolkata under the Union Ministry of Culture, bypassing local restrictions.
- Global Viewership: Audiences in the UK, US, and Canada have responded with curiosity and empathy, especially among diaspora communities familiar with Partition-era stories.
- Comparisons to Past Films: Critics note that The Bengal Files lacks the box office punch of The Kashmir Files, but some argue it’s a more nuanced and emotionally layered film.
Still, the film’s legacy remains uncertain. Will it be remembered as a bold attempt to uncover hidden history, or as a divisive piece of political cinema?
Final Thoughts: A Film That Divides, Provokes, and Reflects
The Bengal Files is not just a movie, it’s a mirror held up to India’s past and present. It asks uncomfortable questions, revisits painful memories, and challenges viewers to think critically about history and its representation.
Whether you agree with its message or not, one thing is clear: this film has sparked a conversation that goes far beyond the screen.
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