Vivek Agnihotri's The Bengal Files faces ruckus even before release; Trailer launch stopped by Kolkata Police
The trailer of The Bengal Files was slated to be launched at a five-star hotel in the city in the afternoon. But Vivek Agnihotri alleged that the Kolkata Police stopped the trailer launch.
Last Updated: 07.22 PM, Aug 16, 2025
The Bengal Files: Right To Life is the third film in Vivek Agnihotri's 'Files Trilogy', which also includes The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. The trailer for The Bengal Files was released on August 16, and it has already created a buzz. The trailer launch event was slated to be held at a five-star hotel in the city in the afternoon, but Vivek alleged that the Kolkata Police stopped the trailer launch of his film The Bengal Files, PTI reported.
Kolkata Police stopped The Bengal Files trailer launch event
A ruckus erupted during the release of The Bengal Files trailer in Kolkata on August 16. The trailer of the film, based on the 1946 Calcutta Riots, was scheduled to take place at a five-star hotel in the city in the afternoon. As quoted by ANI, director Vivek Agnihotri questioned about dictatorship and fascism. He said, "If this is not dictatorship/fascism, then what is?...Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports 'The Bengal Files.'"
He also shared that some people came here at the venue and cut all the wires to stop the trailer launch event. "After all tests and trials, this program was being held. The hotel managers still can't tell us why we are not allowed to continue with our program," he said.
Pallavi Joshi on The Bengal Files trailer launch event
Speaking to ANI, Pallavi Joshi reacted to the chaos and said that she did not like the way the film was stopped. She asked whether there is any freedom of expression in this state or not.
"As filmmakers and actors, we are not able to screen what we have made. What is the threat they are feeling? Such a thing did not happen even in Kashmir. Can we derive that the situation in Kashmir is better than in Bengal? See what is happening in Bengal today. And this is why films like 'The Bengal Files' are important," she shared.
Pallavi also said that she wants every person in India to watch The Bengal Files to know the truth about Bengal.
More about The Bengal Files
Written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, The Bengal Files features actors Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. The film will focus on the real-life events of the Direct Action Day, the 1946 Calcutta Killings, and the Noakhali riots. The film aims to uncover the 'most brutal chapter' of Indian history. While sharing a poster, the makers called it the 'boldest' film.
The Bengal Files: Right To Life is slated to hit theatres on September 5, 2025.
FAQs
Q: What is the Bengal Files movie based on?
A: The Bengal Files portrays the communal violence that occurred in Bengal, specifically focusing on Direct Action Day (1946) and its aftermath. The film is based on the real-life events of the 1946 Calcutta killings, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, and the subsequent violence that spread to other parts of the Bengal Presidency, including the Noakhali riots and Tipperah (Comilla).
Q: Who directs The Bengal Files?
A: The Bengal Files is directed by Vivek Agnihotri.
Q: Are The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files connected?
A: The Bengal Files: Right to Life, initially titled The Delhi Files: The Bengal Story, is the third story after Vivek Agnihotri's The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. It follows a different storyline.