The Bengal Files

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The Bengal Files
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVivek Agnihotri
Written byVivek Agnihotri
Produced byAbhishek Agarwal
Pallavi Joshi
Starring
CinematographyAttar Singh Saini
Edited byShankh Rajadhyaksha
Music byRohit Sharma
Production
companies
Abhishek Agarwal Arts
I Am Buddha Productions
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 5 September 2025 (2025-09-05)
Running time
204 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

The Bengal Files[a] is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language political drama film written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. It presents a storyline centered around the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, depicting the violence and its aftermath as a genocide,[10][11] and claiming that such historical facts were deliberately silenced or ignored.[12][13][14]

The film stars Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, Simrat Kaur, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das and Mohan Kapur.

The Bengal Files is the third and final instalment in Agnihotri's The Files Trilogy based on modern Indian history, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). With a runtime of 204 minutes, it is one of the longest Indian films and is scheduled to be released on 5 September 2025.[15]

Plot

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This film portrays the tragic events surrounding Direct Action Day on 16 August 1946. Also known as the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings, the violence soon spread to surrounding regions of Bengal Presidency, including events like Noakhali riots 1946 and Tipperah Comilla which are portrayed through a cinematic narrative. The storyline is based on real incidents of communal violence that erupted in Bengal, significantly shaping India's path to independence and partition.[16]

Cast

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Production

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Agnihotri announced the project in April 2022 following the success of The Kashmir Files.[17] He initially titled the film The Delhi Files to emphasise his belief that "the destiny of India is written in Delhi and not in Bengal".[18]

Principal photography began in 2023. Agnihotri confirmed that filming wrapped by January 2025.[19] The cinematography of the film is handled by Attar Singh Saini.[20]

Poster released when the film was titled The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter

The film was initially announced under the working title The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter. In June 2025, Agnihotri officially renamed the film to The Bengal Files: Right to Life, reflecting the central focus on Bengal history rather than Delhi.[21]

Agnihotri explained that the title shift was prompted by public sentiment: a social media poll received overwhelming support (99% in favour) for renaming the film to better reflect its subject. He said, “The first and foremost reason is that the film is about Bengal... then I did a poll where 99 people asked me to change the title. That’s when I thought, why get stuck in the communication... Now, it makes more sense.”[22] He also noted that the second part of the project will similarly undergo a title change after the first chapter’s release.[23]

Release

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The Bengal Files is scheduled for a theatrical release on 5 September 2025. The film has received an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC, with a runtime of 204 minutes.[24][2] Agnihotri has warned that he will pursue legal action if West Bengal prevents the release of his film.[25] Actor Victor Banerjee urged the President of India to guarantee that the screening occurs peacefully, free from intimidation or interference, and that the rights of both artists and audiences are fully safeguarded.[26]

Reception

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Historical accuracy

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According to director Vivek Agnihotri, the film focuses on the communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s, particularly the Direct Action Day riots and their aftermath. Though the film is set primarily in Bengal, Agnihotri initially chose the title The Delhi Files because, in his words, "the destiny of India is written in Delhi and not Bengal." He stated that the events in Bengal were shaped by decisions taken in Delhi during the 1940s.[27]

The events portrayed in the film are based on historical incidents such as Direct Action Day, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, which took place in August 1946. The violence, which originated in Calcutta following the Muslim League's declaration of Direct Action Day on 16 August, escalated into mass rioting, primarily affecting the Hindu population. Estimates of the death toll ranged from 5,000 to 10,000, with thousands more injured. The violence soon spread to surrounding regions, including Noakhali, Tipperah (Comilla), Bihar, and Punjab, intensifying communal tensions across India.[28]

Controversies

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In April 2022, the Maharashtra Sikh Association issued objections, claiming the film would commercialise the 1984 Sikh massacres but the director on that time has not confirmed the plot details.[29] Although some speculated that the film is based on 1984 Sikh massacres,[30] later it was found to be based on Direct Action Day, which was also known as Great Calcutta Killings.[31]

During the trailer launch at a Kolkata hotel on 16 August 2025, which was initially planned at a movie theatre, the screening was abruptly halted by Kolkata Police.[32] In response, Agnihotri launched a scathing criticism against the West Bengal Government for haulting the screening for political reasons.[33] A senior Kolkata Police official stated that the organizers had failed to obtain an amusement license, which is required for hosting such screenings.[34]

Actor Saswata Chatterjee distanced himself from the controversy, revealing that he was unaware of the change in the film's title from Delhi Files to The Bengal Files, while also reiterating that he was merely an actor who played a character and not a historian tasked with verifying historical claims.[35]

Another controversy centered around Gopal 'Patha' Mukherjee, who played a pivotal role in protecting Hindus during the 1946 riots. His grandson Santanu Mukherjee filed a complaint at Bowbazar Police Station, accusing Agnihotri of showing his grandfather in poor light and neither taking the family’s permission nor approaching them before making the film.[36] Agnihotri, on the other hand, claimed that Gopal Patha in his film was an inspired, heroically portrayed character and not central to the plot. Saurav Das, the actor playing Gopal Patha, eventually distanced himself from the film, claiming he only knew about his character while being unaware of the script.[37]

Notes

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  1. ^ Subtitled The Bengal Files: Right To Life with the tagline Boldest Film Ever.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

References

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  1. ^ "CBFC | Search Film". Central Board of Film Certification.
  2. ^ a b "Vivek Agnihotri renames The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files on public demand". India Today. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ^ PTI (10 June 2025). "Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri renames new film 'The Delhi Files' to 'The Bengal Files'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  4. ^ "The Delhi Files transformed into The Bengal Files". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2025.
  5. ^ "The Bengal Files: Vivek Agnihotri Renames Film, Sets September 5 Release". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's The Delhi Files Changes Title To The Bengal Files, Will Release On THIS Date". Times Now. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri's The Delhi Files Gets Renamed To The Bengal Files". News18. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  9. ^ "'The Delhi Files' Renamed To 'The Bengal Files: Right To Life' Following Public Demand, Confirms Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri". Zee News. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  10. ^ "The Bengal Files teaser: Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri brings chilling story with powerhouse performers". India Today. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  11. ^ "The Bengal Files trailer launched in Kolkata, Vivek Agnihotri promises a haunting untold story of genocide". The Times of India. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri on naming his next film The Delhi Files instead of Bengal Files: The destiny of India is written in Delhi, not in Bengal". The Times of India. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  13. ^ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release the Bengal chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  14. ^ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release The Bengal Chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  15. ^ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release The Bengal Chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  16. ^ "The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter - Know real 'tragic' history that inspired Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming film". India Times. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Maharashtra Sikh Group not keen on Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Delhi Files'; speculates movie will feature 1984 anti-Sikh riots". The Tribune. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  18. ^ "The Delhi Files: Mithun Chakraborty vows for secularism in riveting first look". India Today. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  19. ^ "The Delhi Files (2025) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  20. ^ "The Delhi Files (2025) - Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri reveals new name of his film The Delhi Files: The Bengal Files". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  22. ^ "What Prompted Vivek Agnihotri To Change The Title Of His Film 'The Delhi Files'? Know The Reason". News24. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Why Did Vivek Agnihotri Rename The Delhi Files To The Bengal Files? Director Shares Insights". ZoomTV. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  24. ^ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release The Bengal Chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri warns of legal action if The Bengal Files release is blocked in West Bengal". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Bengali superstar Victor Banerjee appeals to the President of India for a smooth release of The Bengal Files in West Bengal". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  27. ^ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release The Bengal Chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  28. ^ "The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter - Know real 'tragic' history that inspired Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming film". India Times. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  29. ^ "Maharashtra Sikh Group not keen on Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Delhi Files'; speculates movie will feature 1984 anti-Sikh riots". The Tribune. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  30. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Vivek Agnihotri's The Delhi Files about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots". Firstpost. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri claps back at the troll calling The Delhi Files a flop, labels them a 'Junkie'". The Times of India. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  32. ^ "The Bengal Files trailer halt ignites row over permit, political blame game erupts".
  33. ^ "Vivek Agnihotri says The Bengal Files trailer launch in WB was cancelled due to political pressure: I can't be silenced".
  34. ^ "The Bengal Files row explained: Why Vivek Agnihotri's film is facing backlash". India Today. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  35. ^ "'The Bengal Files': Saswata Chatterjee says he is 'not a historian,' as he distances himself from the Vivek Agnuhotri directed film after trailer screening halts in Kolkata". Times of India. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  36. ^ "Bengal Files: 'Dragging down his image' — Gopal Mukherjee's grandson files complaint against director Vivek Agnihotri". Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  37. ^ "The Real Gopal Patha vs What His Family Says About His Bengal Files Character By Vivek Agnihotri". NDTV. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
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