Vivek Agnihotri & Pallavi Joshi Seek President Murmu’s Protection For 'The Bengal Files' Release In West Bengal
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and his wife, actress-producer Pallavi Joshi, are preparing for the release of their upcoming film The Bengal Files, which is scheduled to hit theatres on September 5.
However, ahead of its release, the film has become the centre of a storm. Facing opposition and alleged intimidation in West Bengal, Pallavi Joshi has written an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting protection for the film, its team, and theatre owners willing to screen it.
Vivek Agnihotri has shared the letter on social media, amplifying the concerns of his wife and co-producer.
Producer of #TheBengalFiles, Pallavi Joshi, writes an open letter to the President of India:
URGENT APPEAL:
Your Excellency, @rashtrapatibhvn,“As Producer of #TheBengalFiles, I am pained that multiplex chains in Bengal have refused the film’s release under political pressure… pic.twitter.com/ERTLvqxp3y
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 4, 2025
In her note, Pallavi Joshi described The Bengal Files as the final part of the widely discussed “Files Trilogy,” following The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files.
Also, read| Blog| The Bengal Files: History Or Propaganda? Why Vivek Agnihotri Is Repeating His Old Playbook
The film revisits turbulent episodes from Bengal’s history, including Direct Action Day, the Noakhali riots, and the painful legacy of Partition. She wrote that while the film attempts to tell stories long ignored, the atmosphere in West Bengal has turned hostile even before its release.
According to her letter, the project has been mocked, faced legal complaints, and even had its trailer blocked from public promotion. She added that newspapers were refusing advertisements and that theatre owners had confided they were being threatened into cancelling shows.
She alleged that while there has been no official ban, an “unofficial ban” was operating in West Bengal, making it difficult for the film to reach audiences.
The plea has found support among several Bengali organisations and prominent personalities, including veteran actor Victor Banerjee, who earlier petitioned the President to allow the release of the film without hindrance.
The makers insist that The Bengal Files represents an untold story of resilience and hope rather than political propaganda, despite strong criticism from sections of social media and political opponents.
Also, read| “Can We Call These Electoral Bond Series?”: Prakash Raj On ‘Propaganda’ Films
Meanwhile, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has also made a separate public appeal to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Urging her not to obstruct the release, he described the film as a piece of art and historical reflection rather than a divisive project.
In his video message, Agnihotri said that freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy and that the audience should be free to decide how they receive the film. His plea came after reports of cancelled press meets in Kolkata and growing calls to ban the film in the state.
Important & Urgent:
Multiple FIRs have been filed against me by the West Bengal govt for making #TheBengalFiles.
The Hon’ble High Court has stayed them.
Why do they want to silence us? Why are they so scared of the truth?
I will not be silenced.
Pl Watch & Share.… pic.twitter.com/ksQpMA7476
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 5, 2025
Starring Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, Sourav Das, and other Bollywood and Bengali actors, The Bengal Files claims to bring little-known chapters of Bengal’s past to the big screen on September 5, 2025.
