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The film, previously named The Delhi Files, delves into the communal unrest of 1940s Bengal, with a focus on the Great Calcutta Killings (Direct Action Day) and the Noakhali riots
Vivek Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi | Image: X
Amid a row over the trailer launch of ‘The Bengal Files’ in Kolkata, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri accused the Trinamool-led state government of colluding with the police to abruptly stop the screening of the film on August 16.
The film, previously named ‘The Delhi Files’, delves into the communal unrest of 1940s Bengal, with a focus on the Great Calcutta Killings (Direct Action Day) and the Noakhali riots.
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“The real question is who stopped the screening? This is extremely scary and worrisome. Those who take an oath to uphold the Constitution have a responsibility to protect the rights of citizens. But lekin agar rakshak hi bhakshak ban jaye to koi kya lad sakta hai? (if the protector turns into the predator, how can anyone fight back?)” said Agnihotri.
‘The Bengal Files’ marks the third instalment in Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘Files’ franchise, following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files.
Directed and written by Agnihotri, the film is jointly produced by his wife Pallavi Joshi and Abhishek Agarwal.
The cast includes Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar. The movie is set for release on September 5.
Agnihotri’s Big Charge
Agnihotri claimed that as the film began gaining traction in the United States, even drawing an invitation to Capitol Hill, “several FIRs were filed against the makers in Bengal.” He added, “Members of the TMC started filing FIRs in every district.”
The director argued that instead of opposing the film, “the Bengal government should have welcomed us because a detailed movie on the culture of Bengal could not have been made otherwise.”
According to Agnihotri, the film’s trailer was initially planned to be released in a major cinema chain in Kolkata. “We had all the permissions, but I was told unofficially that the trailer launch cannot happen there as they feared stone pelting,” he alleged.
He said that after securing fresh permissions, the team shifted the launch to the ITC Hotel. “We called journalists to watch the trailer. As soon as it was played, the hotel manager suddenly came on stage and said it could not be screened,” Agnihotri claimed, adding that preparations had been made in front of the manager beforehand.
“When the media asked the manager about the issue, we got information that the police and TMC members were on their way to stop the release,” Agnihotri alleged.
He further said that “suddenly, a lot of people came in who had nothing to do with the media — these were members of the TMC and local police.”
About the Author
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be…Read More
Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be… Read More
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