Vivek Agnihotri Plans Legal Action for ‘The Bengal Files’ Release
Vivek Agnihotri alleges West Bengal blocks his film release, plans legal action.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has accused the West Bengal government and police of obstructing the release of his latest film, The Bengal Files, by intimidating theatre owners in the state, labeling the actions as “illegal and unconstitutional.” Speaking at the film’s premiere on September 4, Agnihotri announced that the producers are preparing to file a writ petition to challenge the alleged interference, with the final decision pending developments on the film’s scheduled release date of September 5.
The film, the final installment of Agnihotri’s “The Files” trilogy following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022), stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumarr, and explores the 1946 communal riots in Kolkata.
Agnihotri claimed that theatre owners, including major multiplex chains in West Bengal, reported receiving threats from police, warning of “dire consequences” if they screened the film. He recounted their concerns about potential property damage, stating, “They are like, ‘what will we do if they barge in and destroy our property?’” The filmmaker emphasized that the film was dubbed in Bengali to cater to local audiences, noting significant demand among Bengali viewers. The alleged suppression has raised concerns about freedom of expression and access to cultural works in the state.
In response to the situation, Agnihotri’s wife and co-producer, Pallavi Joshi, revealed she has personally appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for intervention to ensure a smooth release. “As a woman, I have written to her personally, seeking a smooth release for our film,” Joshi stated.
The controversy surrounding The Bengal Files underscores ongoing tensions between artistic freedom and political sensitivities, with Agnihotri vowing to pursue legal recourse to protect the film’s distribution.
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