Vivek Agnihotri’s much-talked-about film, ‘The Bengal Files’, finally arrived in cinemas on 5th September 2025. But its release was not without drama, with controversies surrounding it and a direct clash with Tiger Shroff’s big action entertainer ‘Baaghi 4’. While the film opened to modest numbers, it has shown some growth on its second day.
The film records modest two-day collection
According to early estimates shared by industry tracker Sacnilk, ‘The Bengal Files’ earned Rs 1.75 crore on day 1 and Rs 2.25 crore on day 2, bringing its total to Rs 4 crore in just two days. The slight growth from its opening day suggests that the film may slowly build momentum if positive word of mouth spreads.
Saturday occupancy
On its second day, the film reported an overall Hindi occupancy of 29.91% across theatres. The morning shows saw 15.11% occupancy, afternoon shows 29.20%, evening shows 35.08%, and night shows 40.23%. Though not spectacular, the rise in evening and night numbers indicates that the audience may gradually warm up to the film.
The film struggles against ‘Baaghi 4’ competition
Despite the slight improvement, ‘The Bengal Files’ is facing tough competition from Tiger Shroff’s ‘Baaghi 4’. The action-packed film collected Rs 9 crore on its second day, taking its total to Rs 21 crore in two days. With stars like Sanjay Dutt, Harnaaz Sandhu, Saurabh Sachdeva, Upendra Limaye, and Sonam Bajwa, ‘Baaghi 4’ is running far ahead at the box office.
About ‘The Bengal Files’
‘The Bengal Files’ is a fictional drama inspired by real events from the 1940s. It portrays the communal violence in Bengal, focusing on the aftermath of Direct Action Day and the devastating Noakhali riots. The film aims to highlight this tragic yet often overlooked chapter in Indian history.
Ensemble cast of ‘The Bengal Files’
The film features a strong line-up of actors. Mithun Chakraborty leads the story, supported by Anupam Kher and Pallavi Joshi. Darshan Kumar and Simrat Kaur play key roles, while Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur complete the ensemble.
‘The Bengal Files’ film review
The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars. The review stated, “The Bengal Files is a tough watch, the kind of film that makes you squirm in your seat and sit uneasy through its relentless portrayal of violence. The third in Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘files’ trilogy, the film trains its gaze on the mayhem that followed Direct Action Day—the call given by Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1946 demanding a separate state for Muslims.”It further noted, “The subject itself is contentious, and Agnihotri refuses to soften it. What emerges is a historical drama that, while heavy-handed, does bring to light a chapter of Indian history rarely touched upon in popular culture. It frames the story through a contemporary plot involving the disappearance of a journalist in Bengal, using that thread to revisit the horrors of the past. Despite its nearly three-and-a-half-hour length, the film compels you to keep watching, unsettled but engrossed.”DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. While we strive for accuracy, all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in. Go to Source
