PIL Filed in Calcutta High Court to Ensure Smooth Release of ‘The Bengal Files’ in West Bengal
A fresh public interest litigation (PIL) has hit the Calcutta High Court, pushing for a hassle-free screening of Vivek Agnihotri’s latest film, ‘The Bengal Files’, in West Bengal’s cinema halls and multiplexes. Filed on Tuesday by Sayan Kangsabani, a resident of Nadia district, the petition demands an end to the unofficial ban that’s keeping the movie out of local theaters.
Right now, cinema owners in West Bengal are refusing to screen ‘The Bengal Files’, allegedly due to pressure from a specific political group. Kangsabani questions why a film that’s already cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) faces such roadblocks in just one state. He argues that every Indian has the fundamental right to watch any CBFC-certified movie without interference, and blocking it violates citizens’ freedoms.
The petitioner points out a clear double standard: ‘The Bengal Files’ is releasing smoothly in other parts of India, so why not in West Bengal? The court has admitted the PIL, and a hearing could happen as early as this week.
This isn’t the first buzz around the film in court. Earlier this month, Justice Amrita Sinha dismissed another petition against its screening. That one came from Santanu Mukherjee, grandson of freedom fighter Gopal Patha, who appears in the movie. Mukherjee couldn’t provide solid evidence for his claims, and the judge ruled it wasn’t her court’s territory—advising him to approach the right authorities instead.
‘The Bengal Files’ is seen as the third installment in director Vivek Agnihotri’s hit "Files" series, following ‘The Tashkent Files’ (2019) and the super-controversial ‘The Kashmir Files’ (2022). The film dives into sensitive political themes, much like its predecessors.
Adding to the drama, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has faced flak before for similar moves. Remember ‘The Kerala Story’ by Sudipto Sen? It got tangled in alleged gag orders on "weak" reasons, sparking debates on film censorship in the state.
As Bollywood news heats up, eyes are on the Calcutta High Court to decide if ‘The Bengal Files’ gets its big screen shot in West Bengal. Stay tuned for updates on this freedom of expression battle.
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