Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Bengal Files’ Gets Special Screening in Kolkata Amid Controversy
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s latest release, The Bengal Files, finally hit the screens in Kolkata on Saturday. The event marked the movie’s first public viewing in the city, held at the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan auditorium inside the National Library in south Kolkata. This came almost a week after the film’s nationwide premiere on September 5.
The screening was organized by ‘Khola Hawa’, a socio-cultural group often seen as the BJP’s think tank in West Bengal. It stayed exclusive, with entry by invitation only. Attendees included Agnihotri himself, BJP leaders, and former Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, among others.
To keep things safe, authorities deployed a heavy contingent of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the National Library. No incidents were reported, ensuring a smooth event.
Interestingly, while The Bengal Files released across India, theaters in West Bengal skipped it entirely. The film dives into the tragic communal riots of Direct Action Day in August 1946, when Calcutta (now Kolkata) witnessed horrific violence. It’s the final chapter in Agnihotri’s powerful trilogy, coming after The Tashkent Files and the acclaimed The Kashmir Files.
Speaking to reporters after the screening, Agnihotri shared mixed feelings. "I’m thrilled that The Bengal Files is showing at the National Library—it’s a historic spot," he said. "But it’s sad that a story rooted in Bengal’s history can’t reach people here through regular theaters and multiplexes. Folks in the state deserve to see it."
The movie has faced hurdles in Kolkata before. Last month, police reportedly halted the teaser’s launch. A major cinema chain canceled the trailer event, and even a try at a five-star hotel got interrupted by authorities midway.
Building excitement ahead of the show, Agnihotri posted on X: "The stage is set. 550 people will watch #TheBengalFiles tonight at the iconic National Library, Kolkata. 2000 in waiting."
As debates around The Bengal Files and its sensitive theme continue, this screening highlights the push to bring the story to Bengal audiences despite the challenges.
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