In a video message shared on social media, Agnihotri, best known for his previous works The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022), called upon the Chief Minister to uphold the principles of freedom of speech and ensure that The Bengal Files is shown in cinemas across the state.
Agnihotri claimed that theatre owners in West Bengal were being threatened by TMC workers, resulting in uncertainty about whether the film would be allowed to be released as scheduled this Friday. In his emotional appeal, the filmmaker reminded Banerjee of her oath to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen, including the freedom to express opinions through cinema. “You have taken an oath on the Indian Constitution to protect free speech,” Agnihotri stated, adding that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already cleared the film for release.
The film is the third and final instalment in Agnihotri’s ‘Files’ trilogy and explores the communal violence of 1946, a subject that remains contentious in the state’s political climate. While Agnihotri argued that reopening old wounds through cinema is essential for historical awareness, he also noted that other historical tragedies, such as the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, are taught to children worldwide. He questioned why the new generation should not be made aware of this critical chapter in Bengal’s and India’s history.
“The true spirit of Bengal will not allow this movie to be banned,” Agnihotri asserted, emphasizing the film’s importance in fostering national dialogue. He further criticized the opposition to the film, pointing out the inconsistencies in how selective historical events are portrayed or suppressed.
The controversy surrounding The Bengal Files intensified earlier this month when the film’s trailer launch in Kolkata was physically stopped by protestors. Agnihotri described this as an attack on the freedom of expression and called on the state government to ensure that no further disruptions take place.
However, in a reaction to Agnihotri’s video, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh dismissed the filmmaker’s claims of political interference, stating that the decision to restrict the screening of the film was made by theatre owners independently. Ghosh accused Agnihotri of attempting to provoke conflict under the guise of filmmaking, pointing out that there was no political pressure involved.
Ghosh also criticized Agnihotri’s selective conscience, citing his silence over other incidents such as the Godhra riots and the ongoing violence in Manipur. “Where was Vivek Agnihotri’s conscience when Gujarat was burning or when Manipur was suffering? His conscience only awakens when it suits his narrative,” Ghosh remarked.
Amidst these tensions, The Bengal Files also faces delays in its international release, particularly in Mauritius, where it has not yet received the necessary clearance from the local censor board. The film is also undergoing review in regions like the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, which have stringent content approval processes for films dealing with politically sensitive themes.
As the film’s release date approaches, all eyes are now on how the political and social pressures in Bengal will influence its screening and reception across the country.