Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has made a heartfelt, public appeal to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her not to ban his upcoming film, The Bengal Files, in the state. The appeal comes just days before the film’s nationwide theatrical release, scheduled for September 5, 2025.
In a video message shared widely on social media, Agnihotri emphasised that while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the film, theater owners in West Bengal are facing intense political pressure that threatens its screening. Some, he suggests, may be afraid to show it altogether.
A Cinematic Defense of Free Speech
Agnihotri addressed Mamata Banerjee directly, reminding her of her constitutional duty to uphold free expression and protect the rights of citizens. He noted that the film’s approval by the CBFC, a statutory, autonomous body, underscores its legitimacy, and that its screening should not be obstructed by political opposition.
Revisiting a Forgotten Chapter of History
The Bengal Files explored turbulent episodes from Bengal’s past, specifically the Great Calcutta Killings (Direct Action Day) and the Noakhali riots of 1946. Agnihotri characterizes these events as acts of Hindu genocide, a narrative he believes the mainstream discourse still suppresses.
He stated:
“This film is not against any community but against those who acted against humanity… It is not about hatred. It is a film about truth and healing.”
The Controversial History of the Trailer Launch
The movie has already sparked controversy in the region. The Kolkata Police abruptly stopped the trailer launch event on August 16 at the location of a hotel screening. Official sources cited a lack of permission for the event, while Agnihotri pointed to political interference, calling it a suppression of free artistic expression.
A Director as “Filmmaker-Psychiatrist”
Reflecting on the impact of his previous work, The Kashmir Files, Agnihotri referred to himself as a “psychiatrist for the entire Indian society”. He argued that films like his open wounds and spark healing by acknowledging generational pain. Addressing the Chief Minister, he said:
“If telling the truth about Hindu history and Hindu genocide is a sin, then yes, I am a sinner. You may punish me as you wish.”
What Lies Ahead
The Bengal Files is set to release across India on September 5, 2025, but its path in West Bengal remains uncertain amidst political tensions.
The film features a stellar ensemble, including Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Simrat Kaur, and Darshan Kumar, and forms part of Agnihotri’s controversial “Files” series, which began with The Tashkent Files (2019) and gained notoriety with The Kashmir Files (2022).
By – Sonali