Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s upcoming movie The Bengal Files, based on the 1946 Direct Action Day and Calcutta killings, has sparked controversy ahead of its September 5, 2025 release. The film features Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, and Pallavi Joshi, and focuses on the untold stories of communal violence in Bengal during the 1940s.
Trailer Launch Sparks Political Uproar in Kolkata
During the trailer launch in Kolkata on August 16, chaos erupted as multiplexes refused to screen the trailer despite written permissions. Later, hotel chains also pulled out, and police intervened, reportedly under pressure from the ruling party. Agnihotri revealed that several FIRs had been filed against the makers, alleging the film portrays sensitive historical events, including the Hindu genocide.
Mithun Chakraborty Calls FIRs “Planned”
Reacting to the incident, actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty expressed shock at the protests, questioning the opposition without watching the film.
“Everything was planned. Without even seeing the trailer, they are opposing it. Why? Because they don’t want to face the truth,” he said.
He further added, “In Bengal, FIRs are distributed like kurmura (puffed rice). Even a small TMC worker can file one. But Agnihotri will fight it back, no problem.”
“Next Generation Must Know the Truth”
Chakraborty insisted that the younger generation deserves to know about the historical truth behind the Noakhali riots and the Great Calcutta killings of 1946.
“Everybody is scared of the truth. These events happened before my birth. We only read one line in history books, but the details are hidden. Why not tell the next generation what really happened?” he questioned.
