‘The Bengal Files’: Vivek Agnihotri appeals to President; Pallavi Joshi alleges ban; release uncertain

The release of Vivek Agnihotri’s much-anticipated film 'The Bengal Files' has run into controversy just days before its scheduled premiere on September 5. The filmmaker and his wife, actress-producer Pallavi Joshi, have reached out to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention after alleging that the movie is facing an “unofficial ban” in West Bengal.

Pallavi Joshi’s open letter to the president

Set to release in theatres on September 5, the 'Bengal Files' explores the communal violence that took place in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including the events of the Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946.

In an open letter, Joshi alleges that the film faces an "unofficial ban" in West Bengal, with the theatre owners refusing to screen the movie due to alleged "intimidation" and "threat" by the state's ruling party workers. She wrote, "Respected Madam President. With a heavy heart, I reach out to you, not for favours, but for protection. The Bengal Files, the final part of the Files Trilogy, releases on 5th September. It tells the long-suppressed truth of the Hindu genocide of Direct Action Day, the horrors of Noakhali, and the trauma of Partition. But in West Bengal, truth is under siege. Years before completion, the Chief Minister mocked the film.

"Pointing towards the aftermath of the film's announcement, Pallavi Joshi claimed, "Since then, baseless FIRs have been filed, police blocked our trailer, and even newspapers avoid carrying ads. My family is threatened every day by political party workers. Now theatre owners have told us they are being intimidated, threatened and are refusing to screen it, fearing violence by ruling party workers. There is no official ban, yet an unofficial ban silences the film before people can see it.

"The producer-actress also highlighted the support of Padma Bhushan actor Victor Banerjee and various Bengali organisations while calling them the "allies" of truth, allegedly showcased in her upcoming film 'The Bengal Files'. "Legendary actor, Padma Bhushan Victor Banerjee, along with many Bengali organisations in India and abroad, has already petitioned you. Their support proves that truth still has allies," wrote Pallavi Joshi. The letter described 'The Bengal Files' as a "cinema of truth' and a story of "survival and hope," appealing to the President's understanding as a woman who rose to the highest constitutional office. "The Bengal Files is the cry of Maa Bharati, scarred yet unbroken, a story of survival and hope. As a woman who rose from the margins to the highest constitutional office, only you can truly understand what it means to endure such pain and turn it into purpose," wrote Joshi. She continued, "This is cinema of truth. But truth also needs protection. Madam President, I seek not a favour for a film but space for art, for truth, for Maa Bharati's soul to speak without fear. You are my final hope. Please protect our constitutional right and let The Bengal Files be shown in West Bengal peacefully."

Vivek Agnihotri voices his pain

Director Vivek Agnihotri echoed her concerns, posting on X that multiplex chains in Bengal had refused to release the film under political pressure.

“I plead for peaceful release and protection of our rights,” he wrote. Agnihotri, who rose to prominence with The Kashmir Files, said he was saddened that his film about “truth and survival” may not reach audiences in Bengal—the very place where its story is rooted.

Regarding the alleged halt of 'The Bengal Files' release, Amit Malviya said that this is not the first time such "blatant censorship" has taken place in India regarding the film's release. He alleged that the movie 'The Kerala Story' was also denied release in theatres despite a court order under Mamata Banerjee's administration. Taking to his X handle, Amit Malviya wrote, "This is not the first time such blatant censorship has taken place. The Kerala Story was also denied release in theatres, despite a court order, due to threats of violence from the Mamata Banerjee administration. More recently, even an event featuring Javed Akhtar was cancelled after radical Islamist groups demanded it be stalled."

'The Bengal Files' is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, who came to fame with his directorial 'The Kashmir Files' in 2022.The upcoming film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar and Pallavi Joshi in the lead roles.