Vivek Agnihotri Threatens Legal Action Over 'The Bengal Files' Release Halt

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has stated he would pursue legal action if his film “The Bengal Files” faces a release halt in West Bengal.

The film's trailer launch, scheduled in Kolkata, faced disruptions on Saturday.

According to Agnihotri, the event was first canceled by a multiplex and then relocated to a hotel where the power supply was cut, and police arrived questioning whether proper permissions were in place.

“We will adhere to the Constitution,” Agnihotri said at a press conference, expressing his hope that “sanity prevails” and the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government does not halt the film's release.

He added, “What can we do? We are common citizens … We will pray the state government does not stop the release.”

“The Bengal Files”, slated for release on September 5, focuses on the Calcutta riots of August 16, 1946, sparked by the All-India Muslim League's call for 'Direct Action Day' demanding a separate homeland.

Agnihotri emphasized, “This is an Indian film. I am telling you the truth.”

Known for films like "The Kashmir Files" and "The Tashkent Files", Agnihotri also spoke about the controversies involving his latest work, including an FIR by Santanu Mukherjee, the grandson of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee.

Gopal Mukherjee played a key role in countering Muslim mob violence in 1946, but Santanu claims the film refers to his grandfather disparagingly.

Agnihotri clarified that the character inspired by Gopal Mukherjee is not central to the plot.

“I will not delve into his history. Watch Santanu's interview. I can provide all the links. There's an interview of Gopal Mukherjee on BBC. We have only portrayed what he has said. I have nothing to do with Gopal Mukherjee's life or politics. He was a hero, and I have shown him as a hero,” he commented.

“I have great respect for Gopal Mukherjee. His grandsons are associated with TMC, and there are compulsions there … They have proceeded legally, and we are responding legally,” Agnihotri stated.

Agnihotri claims that with the film, he aims to uncover hidden truths and narrate “the untold stories of India.”

“Our intent is clear. I create films on Hindu civilization, which is why I focus on Hindu history. I don't consider myself adept at making films about Islamic or Christian history,” he mentioned, referring to filmmakers like Mani Ratnam and Vishal Bhardwaj who have already covered Islamic history in films like “Roja” and “Haider.”

Agnihotri noted that the censor board approved “The Bengal Files” with no cuts after it passed through both the examining committee and then the revising committee.

“This film was crafted with responsibility and sincerity. No one has the right to object to it. Bengalis will take pride in this film.”

Starring Mithun Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Darshan Kumar, "The Bengal Files" promises to make a strong impact.

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