Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who portrays Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial Hindi political drama The Bengal Files, took to X to share his powerful reaction after watching the film in a packed theatre. The actor described the experience as “shocking,” “saddening,” “emotionally disturbing,” and at times “numbing,” capturing the emotional weight of the narrative and the audience’s response.
Packed Theatres, Poignant Reactions
Kher’s social media post noted that the screening had about 80% occupancy, with audience members spanning different age groups. He observed viewers deeply moved, some even crying for the victims of pre-Partition-era riots. The actor commended all departments of the film: acting, production design, cinematography, background score, and costumes—calling them “A-Grade.” Emphasizing the director’s contribution, he hailed Vivek Agnihotri as the “CAPTAIN of the ship” and urged audiences to watch the film, framing it as the kind of cinema needed to heal the present by confronting the past.
Release and Political Pushback
The Bengal Files, released nationwide on September 5, 2025, delves into the harrowing events of Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, portraying them as genocidal episodes deliberately excluded from mainstream historical discourse. Despite its nationwide theatrical launch, the film remains unreleased in West Bengal, where theater owners have reportedly refused to screen it.
Producer and actor Pallavi Joshi voiced concern over this effectively regional blockade, penning an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) echoed her concerns, labeling the situation an “unofficial ban” and appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene.
Confronting Forgotten History Through Film
Directed and written by Vivek Agnihotri, The Bengal Files is framed not just as a historical account but as a corrective to mainstream omissions, interpreting the 1946 riots as part of a broader narrative suppressed in academic and cultural memory. The director’s intent appears to transcend entertainment, seeking to provoke reflection, recognition, and perhaps healing through revisiting the trauma of the subcontinent’s Partition.
Significance and Larger Implications
Anupam Kher’s candid endorsement underscores how The Bengal Files resonates on an emotional plane, touching on grief, collective memory, and the unresolved wounds of history, particularly impactful considering his portrayal of Gandhi amid narratives of violence and division.
Yet, the film’s regional resistance, particularly in West Bengal, raises questions about cinematic freedom, political influence, and the complexities of historical representation. The calls from Joshi and IMPPA reflect broader tensions between creative expression and regional sensitivities, igniting a conversation about whose story gets told and where.
Final Word
As The Bengal Files continues to spark strong emotional and political reactions, the controversy surrounding its release highlights the enduring power of film to shape memory and dialogue. Whether or not one agrees with the political subtext, the film seems to have achieved its goal: catalysing reflection, debate, and a renewed search for historical truth, making it a piece of cinema that’s as urgent as it is unflinching.
By – Sonali