The Bengal Files Trailer Launch Controversy: Political Tensions Flare in Kolkata
The trailer launch of Vivek Agnihotri’s upcoming film The Bengal Files has sparked a massive political storm in Kolkata. What was supposed to be a grand promotional event turned into a national controversy after the program was suddenly cancelled.
According to producer Abhishek Agarwal, the event was stopped midway under circumstances that he described as “unprecedented.” Agarwal stated, “The film’s trailer was supposed to be launched today, but it was stopped midway. At the time of The Kashmir Files, nothing like this ever happened.”
TMC’s Strong Reactions
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh lashed out at director Vivek Agnihotri, accusing him of spreading politically motivated propaganda. In a sharp statement, Ghosh said, “Vivek Agnihotri is doing drama.
In the name of films, he is doing politically motivated propaganda and trying to divide people.
Why has he not made Gujarat Files on Bilkis, or UP Files, MP Files or even Manipur Files? He has come to Bengal to malign Bengal; he should be thrown out. But because there is democracy here, he is still here.”
Ghosh further criticized Agnihotri for using the name of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, saying, “How dare he take Satyajit Ray’s name? He is coming to his land and trying to create a divide.
Vivek Agnihotri is a puppet of the BJP who is constantly trying to malign Bengal. He should show the development of Bengal that could be a model for the entire nation.”
BJP Condemns the Cancellation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the cancellation of the event. Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar called it a disgraceful act and an attack on democratic values.
Taking to social media, Majumdar said, “In the land of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, West Bengal has once again witnessed a shameful episode that shatters every limit of democratic decency.
Renowned director Vivek Agnihotri had arrived in Kolkata to launch the trailer of his upcoming film The Bengal Files. Shockingly, the event was abruptly cancelled, with a theatre chain openly admitting that it was acting under political pressure.”
Majumdar further claimed that when the team tried to shift the event to a private hotel, it was also sabotaged. According to him, electrical wires were deliberately cut and the police were deployed to disrupt the private program.
Calling it “jungle-raj” and “authoritarian arrogance,” Majumdar said, “This is not merely disgraceful
it is yet another chilling reminder of how Bengal today is being ruled under anarchy and appeasement politics. The entire nation has now seen how a filmmaker and his team of artists were insulted and humiliated in broad daylight.”
The Bigger Picture
The controversy has once again ignited the long-running political battle between the ruling TMC in West Bengal and the BJP. While the TMC dismissed the film as propaganda, the BJP framed the cancellation as a direct assault on freedom of expression.
Political observers note that the timing of the controversy is significant, as the film is set for release on September 5. The attention surrounding the cancellation may fuel more public curiosity about the movie, similar to what happened with Agnihotri’s previous film The Kashmir Files.
About the Film
The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The film features a powerful cast including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi. It is scheduled to hit theatres on September 5.
With the trailer launch controversy already making headlines, the film’s release is likely to be closely watched by both cinema lovers and political observers across India.