'The Bengal Files' Trailer Launch Chaos: Vivek Agnihotri Alleges ‘Dictatorship’, Sparks TMC–BJP Political Row
On Saturday, the trailer launch of filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s upcoming movie The Bengal Files was abruptly disrupted at a five-star hotel. The filmmaker alleged that the event was stopped midway by the Kolkata Police under political pressure, calling it “dictatorship and fascism.”
Agnihotri, speaking to the media, said: “All the cameras have captured how a CBFC-approved film’s trailer was stopped. We had all the permissions, and it was a private event in a hotel banquet. This is not democracy, this is dictatorship and anarchy.”
The director, who earlier made the controversial 2022 film The Kashmir Files, added that attempts were being made to “silence his voice” and “suppress the truth.”
Originally, the trailer launch was scheduled to be held at a multiplex in Kolkata. However, Agnihotri claimed the venue cancelled the booking on Friday. His team then shifted the event to a five-star hotel on Saturday, only for it to be stopped midway by police officials present at the spot. However, he has shared the official trailer of The Bengal Files on social media.
In memory of the victims of Direct Action Day (16th August 1946), I present to you the official trailer of #TheBengalFiles — the boldest film ever on the untold story of the Hindu genocide.
In cinemas 5th September 2025.
Please bless us.🙏🏻
Watch on YouTube:… pic.twitter.com/pIFvyTGI3d
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 16, 2025
Agnihotri reportedly argued with the police, demanding to know why the trailer launch was interrupted despite clearances. The police officials declined to comment, saying senior authorities would address the matter.
Just landed in Kolkata and learnt that the venue for the trailer launch of #TheBengalFiles is cancelled.
Who wants to suppress our voice?
And why?But I can’t be silenced. Because truth can’t be silenced.
ट्रेलर तो कोलकाता में ही लांच होगा।
Pl share this video and support… pic.twitter.com/xraD7w9sRb
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 15, 2025
The incident quickly snowballed into a political controversy between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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Sukanta Majumdar, Union minister and Bengal BJP president, lashed out, saying, “In the land of Satyajit Ray, Bengal has witnessed a shameful episode that shatters every limit of democratic decency. This is jungle-raj, anarchy, and authoritarian arrogance.”
The TMC, however, dismissed the film as political propaganda. “Earlier, the BJP tried the same with The Kashmir Files and lost elections. People of Bengal are not interested in such propaganda films. This drama is being staged for media attention,” Party spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya told the media.
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Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, The Bengal Files focuses on the events of Direct Action Day and the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings. The film features Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Darshan Kumar in key roles. It is scheduled for theatrical release on September 5, 2025.
Earlier this month, Agnihotri alleged that the West Bengal government filed multiple FIRs against him and the film, but the Calcutta High Court granted an interim stay on those cases.
