The Bengal Files, the latest film by director Vivek Agnihotri, has ignited political controversy in West Bengal, with reports suggesting that multiplex owners are under pressure from the TMC-led state government to not screen the film. The situation has raised concerns over artistic freedom, censorship, and the politicization of cinema.
Produced by Pallavi Joshi, the film is set to release on September 5, 2025, as the final installment in Agnihotri’s provocative Files Trilogy, following The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. It delves into emotionally charged historical episodes such as the Noakhali riots, Direct Action Day, and the Partition of Bengal, aiming to portray the trauma of Hindu displacement in Bengal’s history.
In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Joshi accused the West Bengal government of orchestrating an “unofficial ban” on the film. She alleged that the state had used intimidation tactics, blocked the trailer from airing, filed baseless FIRs, and even issued threats to her family. According to Joshi, several theatre owners were warned against screening the film under the pretext of maintaining public order.
Calling The Bengal Files a “cinema of truth,” Joshi appealed for constitutional protection of free speech and artistic expression, stating that the film seeks to uncover forgotten or suppressed chapters of Indian history.
The film’s upcoming release has divided public and political opinion. Supporters hail it as a courageous attempt to bring painful historical truths to light, while critics warn it could exacerbate communal tensions and promote a polarizing narrative.
The situation has reignited a broader national debate:
Where should the line be drawn between freedom of expression and social responsibility? And who gets to decide what history is told — or silenced — on screen?
As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on how theatres, state authorities, and audiences respond — and what this means for the future of politically charged cinema in India.
