Vivek Agnihotri's 'The Bengal Files' Faces Screening Hurdles in West Bengal Amid Alleged Political Pressure

Kolkata, Sep 5 (PTI) Director Vivek Agnihotri voiced frustration on Friday over his latest film, 'The Bengal Files,' not being screened in theatres across West Bengal on its release day. He alleged that this was due to political pressure and intimidation resulting in what he termed an "unofficial ban." The film, which is the concluding part of Agnihotri’s Files Trilogy, delves into the August 1946 Calcutta killings. These killings were set off by the Muslim League’s call for Direct Action Day, leading to widespread communal violence, mass casualties, and eventually Mahatma Gandhi's peace fast at Beleghata.

Expressing disappointment that the film cannot be viewed in theatres in both the city and state, Agnihotri stated in a post on X, "I know that pain has touched their souls. It's your film now. #TheBengalFiles is in cinemas now. (except WEST BENGAL & Pakistan)."

In another post, Agnihotri remarked, "There was a time when Tagore dreamt of a Bengal without fear. In today's Bengal, the government has banned #TheBengalFiles, the boldest film ever made on Hindu genocide. Please watch The Bengal Files in theaters as your protest. In cinemas tomorrow."

Actor-producer Pallavi Joshi, in an 'open letter' to President Droupadi Murmu, alleged that theatre owners informed the film's makers that they were being intimidated, threatened, and thus refusing to screen the film, fearing "violence by ruling party workers."

She stated, "The Bengal Files unravels the long-suppressed truth of the Hindu genocide of Direct Action Day, the horrors of Noakhali, and the trauma of Partition. There is no official ban, yet an unofficial ban silences the film before people can see it."

Accompanying the letter, Agnihotri added that multiplex chains in the state declined the film's release due to "political pressure and threats by the ruling party."

A senior Eastern India Motion Picture Association official informed PTI, "I cannot say why the film was not being slotted for screening in any theatres in West Bengal from today (September 5). It is the discretion of hall owners and multiplex owners."

Navin Chokhani, owner of Navina in south Kolkata, told PTI that the theatre was already committed to screening 'Baaghi 4,' while another Bengali film, 'Dhumketu,' was also being shown. "For us, showing another film is not possible," he said.

A spokesperson for Menoka cinema revealed that the theatre is screening 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' and the 2024 Bengali hit 'Bahurupi,' leaving no slot for 'The Bengal Files.'

Priya Cinema's owner Arijit Dutta said, "We have 'Baaghi 4' and two Bengali films, 'Ahana: The Light Within' and 'Jhor,' from September 5. There is no slot left for The Bengal Files." Multiplex chains such as PVR Inox, Cinepolis, and SVF Cinemas would also not be screening the film, and their spokespersons could not be reached for comment.

Previously, on August 17, the trailer launch of the film at a hotel in the city was halted.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh had accused Agnihotri of trying to create societal divisions with his "propaganda" film to further the BJP's political agenda.

The film features prominent actors including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, Darshan Kumar, and Sourav Das.

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