Kolkata witnessed high drama on Friday during the much-anticipated trailer launch of filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s new movie ‘The Bengal Files’. The event at ITC Royal Bengal Hotel turned into chaos after the hotel authorities suddenly stopped the launch.
The event had been planned for weeks, and the entire cast and crew were present along with media and guests. But just minutes before the trailer was to be played, the organisers announced that it could not go ahead. This shocked the filmmaker and the audience.
How did Vivek Agnihotri react?
Agnihotri, who was visibly upset, appealed to the crowd to remain calm. He said, “Please bear with us. All of this was planned with full permission and approval. And now, at the last minute, we are being told that we cannot play ‘The Bengal Files’ trailer. It seems there are two constitutions in this country. One for India and another special one that runs here.”
In memory of the victims of Direct Action Day (16th August 1946), I present to you the official trailer of #TheBengalFiles — the boldest film ever on the untold story of the Hindu genocide.
In cinemas 5th September 2025.
Please bless us.
Watch on YouTube:… pic.x.com/pIFvyTGI3d
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 16, 2025
He alleged that wires at the event venue were deliberately cut to stop the screening. “I don’t know under whose orders this has been done, but you all can see the situation. The hotel managers are unable to tell us the reason. If this is not dictatorship or fascism, then what is it? The law and order in this state has completely failed,” he added.
Cancellation by theatres
Agnihotri revealed that the plan was to unveil the trailer in cinemas, as is usually done. But a leading multiplex chain refused at the last moment, citing “political pressure.”
Speaking to ANI, he explained, “I came back from America and directly reached Kolkata for this trailer launch. Normally, trailers are launched in theatres. But as soon as I landed, I got to know that one of the biggest multiplex chains had backed out. They said there is too much political pressure and showing this trailer could lead to turmoil. We then spoke to another multiplex, but they also declined. If we had known this earlier, we would not have spent so much money and brought so many people here.”
Why Kolkata?
Despite the setbacks, Agnihotri insisted on releasing the trailer in Kolkata itself. He explained his reasoning: “This film talks about Direct Action Day, the Hindu genocide, and riots like Murshidabad. Where else should such a film’s trailer be launched if not in Kolkata? This city is central to the story. I am not someone who gives up easily, so even if theatres refused, we decided to launch the trailer in a hotel banquet hall. But I want to ask, why is there so much effort to silence our voice?”
About ‘The Bengal Files’
‘The Bengal Files’ is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri. The film stars veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty and Anupam Kher, alongside Darshan Kumar and Pallavi Joshi. The story revisits one of the most violent chapters of Indian history, the communal riots in undivided Bengal during the 1940s.
It particularly focuses on the events of 1946, such as Direct Action Day, the Noakhali massacres, and the Murshidabad riots. Agnihotri calls it an attempt to show the “brutal truth” of that period, which he believes has been neglected in mainstream narratives.