The Bengal Files Trailer Launch: Electrical wires cut, police intervened, Director Escorted

At the trailer screening of the Bengal files in ITC Royal Kolkata, the staff allegedly cut off electric wires followed by Kolkata police stopping the event. The Director Vivek Agnihotri says Democracy is dead in Bengal. 

The Bengal Files screening stopped midway 

Director Vivek Agnihotri’s last and final part from the Files trilogy,“The Bengal Files” has been controversial since the day it was announced. After the Release Of trailer, The ruling party of west bengal has shown angst against the Film. 

The scheduled Screening of the trailer in a theatre was stopped but later it was rescheduled in a well-reputed Hotel, ITC Royal Kolkata, but it was stopped there as well. 

Agnihotri claimed that the staff in the respective places were ordered by “Top Authorities” to stop the event. 
A heated argument took place between vivek agnihotri and the police.

“We had a written permission from one of the leading multiplex chain to exhibit it, but as soon as I landed yesterday evening in Kolkata, I got to know from the organizing team and the venue is called.The multiplex called and said sorry we cannot host you” Agnihotri said. 

The producer and actress Pallavi Joshi revealed they were told “you cannot run your trailer herewith , we have written permission,This is Gundagardi”

Vivek Agnihotri further said “Why are our voices being suppressed, why don’t they want the history of Bengal to come out in public,why are they scared of film?

TMC spokespersons have cited the film may create communal unrest and may influence voters to choose BJP, as the West Bengal elections are to happen next year. 

TMC has also called Agnihotri “a mouthpiece of BJP” and his films ‘Propaganda’. The party says agnihotri campaigning for BJP’s narratives. Also challenged him to make Gujarat and Manipur files if he has guts.

CBFC cleared. All permissions granted, yet The Bengal Files trailer launch was blocked in Kolkata.

Freedom of expression in Bengal = ZERO.

Btw Great work @vivekagnihotri sir 🫡 pic.twitter.com/R6Hp0TbqhK

— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) August 16, 2025

Mamta Banerjee the chief minister of West Bengal had previously said “They are preparing a film on Bengal, what happened in Bengal? Nothing happened” 
Called him a film maker funded by BJP, Sells Distorted, concocted stories. As a result, she was sent legal notice from Vivek Agnihotri for defamation.

The Bengal files is  based on Direct Action day.

The film is based on Direct action day or Great calcutta Killings That continued between 16 August 1946 to 19 August 1946. The All-India Muslim League declared Direct Action on the demand of a separate nation for the muslims of India by any means after the exit of Britishers. The Demography of Kolkata was attempted to alter by killing Hindus. According to official reports about 40,000 were slaughtered but unofficial data suggest 1 lakh.