The Bengal Files: Story, Controversy, Cast, Release & Reviews

The Bengal Files is the latest and most debated film by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, completing his trilogy after The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). Released on 5 September 2025, the film dives into Bengal’s violent past, particularly the Direct Action Day of 1946 and the Noakhali genocide, which, according to the makers, were events deliberately erased from mainstream history.

Produced by Pallavi Joshi and Abhishek Agarwal, the movie features a stellar cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Saswata Chatterjee.

The Story & Themes

The Bengal Files is set in the turbulent 1940s, a time when India was inching towards independence but Bengal was gripped by communal tension and violence. The film primarily focuses on the Direct Action Day riots of August 16, 1946, and the Noakhali genocide, events that, according to the filmmakers, have been neglected or deliberately downplayed in history books.

Through a mix of personal stories and historical references, the narrative attempts to portray:

• The horrors faced by Hindu families during the riots and massacres.
• The political decisions that fueled unrest and communal polarization.
• The resilience of survivors, who endured displacement, trauma, and silence.

Vivek Agnihotri frames the film as not just a story of violence, but as an exposé of forgotten truths, aiming to provoke national reflection. His tagline, “If Kashmir hurt you, Bengal will haunt you,” suggests a deeper emotional and psychological impact, positioning Bengal’s tragedy as even more haunting than Kashmir’s.

At its core, the film explores themes of:

• Historical erasure – questioning why certain narratives are excluded from textbooks.
• Identity and survival – how communities preserve culture amid violence.
• Justice and memory – whether retelling painful pasts can heal or divide.

Cast & Crew

The Bengal Files brings together a powerful ensemble of veteran actors and a seasoned crew, ensuring both depth in performance and strong storytelling.

🎭 Main Cast

• Mithun Chakraborty – Portrays a key historical character, bringing intensity and emotional depth to the narrative.
• Anupam Kher – Known for his impactful roles in socially and politically driven cinema, he plays a pivotal figure in the storyline.
• Pallavi Joshi – Both producer and actor, she embodies a strong character while also shaping the film’s creative vision.
• Saswata Chatterjee – Adds a Bengali perspective, grounding the story in its regional ethos.

🎬 Crew

• Director: Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri
  • Acclaimed for The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, he continues his “Files trilogy” with Bengal as the final chapter.
• Producers: Pallavi Joshi & Abhishek Agarwal
  • Their collaboration ensures the film’s balance between creative storytelling and wide distribution.
• Writer: Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri
  • The screenplay blends historical research with emotional narratives.
• Music & Score: Yet to be widely publicized, but expected to carry a somber, haunting tone fitting the film’s subject matter.
• Cinematography: Designed to reflect Bengal’s historical backdrop, capturing both the beauty of its culture and the darkness of its violent past.

Trailer Launch & Controversy

The trailer of The Bengal Files was unveiled on 16 August 2025, coinciding with the 79th anniversary of Direct Action Day—a deliberate choice to underline the film’s historical focus. The event was held in Kolkata, the heart of Bengal, but it did not unfold without drama.

🎥 Trailer Launch Event

Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, along with lead cast members Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Saswata Chatterjee, attended the launch. The trailer depicted chilling visuals of communal riots, forced displacements, and unheard stories of survival, instantly sparking heated debates online.

⚡ Political & Social Reactions

Soon after the launch, reports surfaced that the Kolkata Police interrupted the event, allegedly citing law-and-order concerns. Agnihotri and his team claimed it was an attempt to suppress the film’s message under political pressure.

In the following days:

• Several theatres in West Bengal refused to screen the film, leading to accusations of an “unofficial ban.”
• Social media became a battleground, with supporters calling it a bold truth-telling film, while critics accused it of political propaganda.
• Producer Pallavi Joshi wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, appealing for her intervention to protect artistic freedom and ensure the film’s release in Bengal.

🚨 The Controversy Deepens

Adding fuel to the fire, a legal petition was filed in the Calcutta High Court by the family of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee (Gopal Patha), challenging his portrayal in the film as a violent figure. They argued that the film could tarnish his legacy, raising questions about historical accuracy vs. creative liberty.

The controversies, instead of silencing the film, only amplified its visibility nationwide, drawing parallels with the storm that followed The Kashmir Files.

Legal Challenges

Like its predecessor The Kashmir Files, The Bengal Files has not escaped courtroom battles. The film has been at the center of multiple legal and ethical disputes, questioning both its accuracy and intent.

⚖️ The Gopal Patha Controversy

One of the biggest challenges came from the family of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, popularly known as Gopal Patha.

• In the film, Patha is reportedly depicted as a violent vigilante responsible for retaliatory killings during the Direct Action Day riots of 1946.
• His family filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, arguing that the portrayal is distorted and defamatory, painting him as a communal butcher rather than reflecting his historical complexity.
• They demanded either corrections in the film or a ban on its screening until proper review.

🚫 Alleged “Unofficial Ban” in Bengal

While the film released across India on 5 September 2025, many theatres in West Bengal refused to screen it. The filmmakers alleged that this was not a commercial decision but an administrative move influenced by political pressure.

• Producer Pallavi Joshi wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking protection of creative freedom and audience rights.
• Legal notices were also considered against cinema chains and distributors that withdrew from screening in the state.

🔍 Broader Legal Questions Raised

These disputes have opened larger debates in the legal and cultural space:

• Can historical figures’ families legally challenge their cinematic portrayal?
• Where is the line between artistic liberty and defamation?
• Does denying a film’s release in a state amount to censorship in disguise?

For now, The Bengal Files continues to face scrutiny in courts and political circles, adding yet another layer of controversy to its narrative.

Audience Reviews & Reception

Even before its theatrical release on 5 September 2025, The Bengal Files had already generated intense emotions through its international screenings and online discussions. Much like The Kashmir Files, the film has become a polarizing cultural event rather than just a cinematic release.

🌍 Pre-Release Screenings

At select international premieres, audiences were visibly moved, with many calling the film:

• “Gut-wrenching and unforgettable”
• “A painful chapter of history brought to life”
• “Hard-hitting and disturbing, yet necessary”

These reactions mirrored the emotional impact that made The Kashmir Files a sleeper hit in 2022.

🇮🇳 Domestic Response

In India, audience reception has been a mixed bag:

• Supporters praised the film’s raw storytelling and claimed it sheds light on “forgotten history suppressed in textbooks.”
• Critics, however, accused the film of being “selective, one-sided, and politically motivated.”
• In Bengal, many were disappointed they couldn’t watch it due to theatres declining to screen the film, sparking frustration on social media with hashtags demanding its release.

🎟️ Advance Bookings & Box Office Start

Despite the buzz, advance bookings were underwhelming compared to expectations:

• Industry reports estimated around ₹28 lakh in pre-sales before release.
• Approximately 9,800 tickets were booked in advance, far less than anticipated for a film with such controversy-driven publicity.
• Analysts believe the ongoing disputes and lack of Bengal screenings hurt the initial numbers.

🔥 Online Buzz

On social media platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, the film has been trending with divided opinions. While one section hails it as “truth finally revealed,” another criticizes it as “propaganda wrapped in cinema.”

Box Office Outlook

The release of The Bengal Files on 5 September 2025 has set the stage for yet another high-stakes box office battle. While the film is surrounded by massive buzz due to its controversial subject, early indicators suggest a challenging road ahead.

🎟️ Opening Predictions

• Trade analysts projected a moderate opening, with day-one collections expected in the range of ₹4–6 crore.
• Advance bookings were below expectations (₹28 lakh in pre-sales, ~9,800 tickets), reflecting skepticism about its mass pull.
• The absence of screenings in West Bengal—a key cultural backdrop for the story—has significantly impacted potential earnings.

📈 Factors Supporting Growth

• Word of Mouth: Much like The Kashmir Files, if audiences find the film emotionally powerful, collections could pick up strongly from the second day onwards.
• Controversy Factor: The legal battles and alleged unofficial ban may paradoxically boost interest, with audiences curious to see what’s being “suppressed.”
• Star Power: Veterans like Mithun Chakraborty and Anupam Kher could attract older and politically aware demographics.

📉 Factors Working Against It

• Polarized Reactions: Critics and a section of audiences view it as politically slanted, which may deter neutral moviegoers.
• Regional Absence: With no theatrical release in Bengal, the film misses out on a large regional audience that could have connected deeply with its narrative.
• Competition: Depending on other big-budget releases in September 2025, box office traction may be split.

🔮 Long-Term Outlook

Industry watchers believe that The Bengal Files may follow one of two paths:

Limited Impact Model: If reviews remain mixed and controversies don’t convert into ticket sales, the film could see a steep drop after its opening weekend.

Gradual Growth Model: Like The Kashmir Files, where strong word-of-mouth eventually turned it into a box office juggernaut.

Why It Matters

The Bengal Files is not just another historical drama—it has emerged as a cultural flashpoint in India’s ongoing debate about history, politics, and cinema. Its importance goes beyond the box office, touching on deeper social and national questions.

🕰️ Remembering Forgotten History

The film brings focus to events like the Direct Action Day riots of 1946 and the Noakhali genocide, which have often been marginalized in mainstream history. By doing so, it forces audiences to confront a painful past that continues to shape communal identities and political discourse today.

🎭 Cinema as Political Narrative

Like The Kashmir Files, this film raises the issue of whether cinema should simply entertain or act as a tool for truth-telling and nation-building. Supporters hail it as bold storytelling, while critics argue it blurs the line between history and propaganda.

🗣️ Freedom of Expression vs. Censorship

The alleged “unofficial ban” in West Bengal and legal challenges from historical figures’ families spotlight the tension between artistic liberty and political control. The controversy has become a test case for India’s commitment to free speech in the arts.

🌍 National Debate

By sparking heated discussions across media, courts, and political forums, the film ensures that Bengal’s past isn’t just confined to history books—it becomes part of India’s present cultural consciousness.

⚡ In short, The Bengal Files matters because it isn’t just a movie—it’s a mirror reflecting contested histories, present-day politics, and the power of cinema to ignite debate.

Conclusion

The Bengal Files is more than a cinematic release—it is a cultural and political event that has reignited discussions about history, memory, and freedom of expression in India. By spotlighting the Direct Action Day riots and the Noakhali genocide, the film forces audiences to revisit chapters of Bengal’s past that have long remained in the shadows.

While praised by supporters as truth-telling cinema and criticized by detractors as political propaganda, the film undeniably succeeds in sparking national dialogue. Its journey—from trailer launch controversies and legal battles to divided audience reception—shows how deeply cinema can influence public consciousness.

Whether The Bengal Files emerges as a box office success or not, its real impact lies in its ability to challenge collective memory and ignite debate. Like its predecessors in Vivek Agnihotri’s “Files Trilogy,” it ensures that forgotten stories are not just remembered but actively discussed in India’s present and future.