Kolkata: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri was left fuming after the trailer launch event of his upcoming film ‘The Bengal Files’ faced hurdles in Kolkata on August 16.
The event, which was originally planned at a prominent cinema hall, was abruptly cancelled reportedly under “political pressure.” The event was shifted to a hotel, where also they faced problems, before finally the trailer was unveiled at 1 pm on Saturday.
Launching a scathing criticism of the authorities in West Bengal, Agnihotri claimed multiple FIRs have been filed against them and that law and order has failed in the state.
“They are obstructing the screening, and I don’t know why. There is no reason for it. First, they cancelled the event at the theatre, and now they are not allowing it here either. The hotel authorities told me they had been instructed not to host the launch,” Agnihotri said.
“I have just been informed that all the wires have been cut. Who is giving these instructions, and why, I don’t know. Multiple FIRs have already been filed against us. This is a private hotel — how can they stop us here when we have the necessary permission? If this is not dictatorship, then what is? If this is not fascism, then what is? Look at the number of policemen present, as if we are criminals,” Agnihotri added.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | ‘The Bengal Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri alleges disruption during trailer launch of his film, he says, ” If this is not dictatorship/fascism, then what is?…Law and order in your state has failed, and this is the reason that everyone supports… pic.twitter.com/rjQc0jh7iR
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
Agnihotri’s wife, actor-producer Pallavi Joshi was also peeved at the lack of “freedom of expression” in West Bengal.
#WATCH | West Bengal | A ruckus erupted during the release of ‘The Bengal Files’ trailer in Kolkata today. Actor Pallavi Joshi alleges the trailer launch was not allowed.
Actor Pallavi Joshi says, ” I absolutely did not like the way my film was stopped. Is there freedom of… pic.twitter.com/nKC3ACIV7a
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
According to a senior Kolkata Police official, the organisers had not secured necessary permission.
“Obtaining an amusement licence is mandatory for hosting this kind of screening event. However, the organisers had not secured the required licence from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, nor did they inform the local police in advance. We learnt about the event through other sources. When asked, the organisers were unable to produce the necessary licence, so we had to intervene,” the officer told India Today.
The disruption notwithstanding, the trailer launched ultimately happened at a five-star hotel.
“If Kashmir hurt you, Bengal will haunt you,” Agnihotri wrote alongside the clip of the trailer which he shared online.
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.twitter.com/pIFvyTGI3d
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 16, 2025
The ‘Bengal Files’ is the third and final instalment in Agnihotri’s trilogy based on modern Indian history, following ‘The Tashkent Files’ in 2019 and ‘The Kashmir Files’ in 2022. The film is based on the 1946 Great Calcutta killings.
Based on the 1946 Calcutta riots, ‘The Bengal Files’ looks back at West Bengal’s turbulent political history, explores Hindu genocide and communal violence through real testimonies and historical accounts.
The film features Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumaar in key roles.
It is scheduled to be released in theatres on September 5, 2025.