The Bengal Files

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The Bengal Files
Directed byVivek Agnihotri
Produced by
Written byVivek Agnihotri
Starring
Music byRohit Sharma
CinematographyAttar Singh Saini
Edited byShankh Rajadhyaksha
Production
companies
  • Abhishek Agarwal Arts
  • I Am Buddha Productions
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 5 September 2025 (2025-09-05)
Running time
204 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹30 crore[2][3]
Box office₹6.65 crore[4]

The Bengal Files (subtitled The Bengal Files: Right To Life) is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language historical drama film written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. It is the third instalment in Agnihotri's The Files Trilogy, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The film blends a fictional investigative narrative with dramatized sequences inspired by events around Direct Action Day (16 August 1946) and related unrest in Bengal, aiming to reflect on the human cost of communal violence and its long-term effects.[5][6]

Plot[edit]

Set against the backdrop of the disturbances in Bengal during 1946, the film follows a special investigating officer who opens a missing-person case that gradually uncovers buried stories of loss, resilience and contested memories. Intercut with the investigation are dramatized vignettes that depict the lived experiences of people affected by the unrest, emphasising personal perspectives and moral dilemmas.[7]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Agnihotri announced the project in 2022 after the success of The Kashmir Files.[8] Principal photography began in November 2024 and wrapped in January 2025.[9]

Soundtrack[edit]

The film’s soundtrack includes the devotional folk-based single "Kichudin Mone Mone" sung by Parvathy Baul, along with compositions by Rohit Sharma.[10]

Release[edit]

The Bengal Files was theatrically released on 5 September 2025. The film received an A (adults only) certificate from the CBFC, with a runtime of 204 minutes. The certification cited strong violent and graphic content.[11][12] Director Vivek Agnihotri stated that he would consider legal action if the film were to be prevented from releasing in West Bengal, suggesting that attempts could be made to block it.[13] Actor Victor Banerjee appealed to the President of India, requesting that screenings take place peacefully and without interference, emphasising artistic and audience rights.[14] Before the release, Agnihotri also appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging that the film not be restricted. He argued that the project was conceived as artistic storytelling, not as a divisive tool.[15]


Allegations of non-release in West Bengal[edit]

A day before the premiere, producer Pallavi Joshi stated that the film had been unofficially banned in West Bengal, claiming that theatre owners were facing pressure and intimidation. She addressed a letter to Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, seeking assurance of the film’s right to be shown.[16] Around the same time, Amit Malviya of the BJP IT Cell accused the state government of involvement in blocking screenings. The Trinamool Congress government denied the charge, stating that screening decisions were made by theatre chains and multiplex owners.[17] Exhibitors in Kolkata explained that their schedules were already committed to other titles including The Conjuring: Last Rites, Dhumketu, Bohurupi, and Baaghi 4.[18]


Reception[edit]

Critical responses were mixed. Some reviewers highlighted the ambition and strong performances, while others felt the length and pacing diluted impact. News 24 gave it 4 stars, calling it “vibrant and combustive”.[19] India TV and The Times of India gave 3.5 stars, praising performances and cinematography.[20][21]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "CBFC – Film details". Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "The Bengal Files Day 3 Box Office Collection". Amar Ujala. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Vivek Agnihotri had to borrow money for flight tickets during The Bengal Files promotions". The Indian Express. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  4. ↑ Trisha Bhattacharya. "The Bengal Files Box Office Collection Day 3". Mint. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Vivek Agnihotri renames The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files on public demand". India Today. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Bengal Files trailer launched in Kolkata, Vivek Agnihotri promises a haunting untold story". The Times of India. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "The Bengal Files". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Vivek Agnihotri Begins Shooting For The Delhi Files". News18. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  9. ↑ "Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri wraps up shooting for 'The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter'". Deccan Herald. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "The Bengal Files Song: Kichudin Mone Mone". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  11. ↑ "The Delhi Files: Vivek Agnihotri to release The Bengal Chapter on August 15, 2025". India Today. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  13. ↑ "Vivek Agnihotri warns of legal action if The Bengal Files release is blocked in West Bengal". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  14. ↑ "Bengali superstar Victor Banerjee appeals to the President of India for a smooth release of The Bengal Files in West Bengal". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Vivek Agnihotri Appeals To Mamata Banerjee To Allow The Bengal Files Screening In West Bengal". CNN-News18. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Pallavi Joshi pens open letter to Prez on 'unofficial ban' of The Bengal Files". Times of India. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "The Bengal Files sparks political firestorm: Vivek Agnihotri's film released nationwide but blocked in West Bengal". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Kolkata film exhibitors reveal why The Bengal Files is not being screened in West Bengal". DNA India. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  19. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. "The Bengal Files Review: Telling It Like It Is". News 24. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "The Bengal Files Movie Review". India TV. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "The Bengal Files Movie Review: A provocative portrait of Bengal's turmoil". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 September 2025.

External links[edit]

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