Mithun Chakraborty Responds to the Interruption of The Bengal Files Trailer: 'Astonished, Yet Film Will Debut'
The trailer launch of the politically charged film, The Bengal Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, faced a setback on August 16 when it was disrupted by police in Kolkata. The event, which was scheduled to take place at a public venue, was halted due to a lack of the required official permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for a public screening.
Police arrived to verify the permissions and halted the screening, citing missing approvals. This led to disruptions, including claims by Agnihotri that electrical wires were cut to stall the trailer launch, and overall interference attributed by him to political opposition.
Despite the interruptions, the trailer was ultimately screened at the BJP's Salt Lake office. Mithun Chakraborty, who is part of the project, expressed surprise at the situation, but remained optimistic, stating that the film would not suffer anything embarrassing enough to disrupt its release.
The filmmakers are currently facing several legal challenges, with FIRs filed against Agnihotri and his team in West Bengal. The FIRs allege that the film might contain sensitive content that could disturb communal harmony in the state. In late July 2025, Agnihotri and his wife sought dismissal of these FIRs in the Calcutta High Court, which in early August granted an interim stay on both FIRs, providing temporary legal relief to the filmmakers.
The film, which discusses the 1946 Calcutta Killings and Noakhali riots, has been a subject of controversy since its inception. Agnihotri's previous film, The Kashmir Files, presented these historical events as "genocide." The Bengal Files claims to expose an "untold history," but critics argue that it promotes divisive narratives.
Despite the controversies, The Bengal Files has garnered attention, with the trailer receiving 2.59 lakh YouTube views in just a few hours. Mithun Chakraborty has affirmed that the film would be released on September 5, regardless of the circumstances. Actor Saswata Chatterjee, who is also part of the film, has distanced himself from the controversies surrounding the movie's historical claims and launch interruptions.
As the release date approaches, the filmmakers have vowed to fight the charges related to the FIRs, and movie producer Abhishek Agarwal is considering legal action in court. The escalating conflict between the BJP and TMC over the film has added to the controversy, with accusations of concealing the truth from both sides. Despite the challenges, The Bengal Files continues to generate buzz, promising to deliver a politically charged narrative that is sure to spark debate.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-bengal-files-trailer-launch-disrupted-by-police-in-kolkata/article65749211.ece [2] https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/the-bengal-files-trailer-launch-disrupted-by-police-in-kolkata-2811203 [3] https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-bengal-files-trailer-launch-disrupted-by-police-in-kolkata-vivek-agnihotri-alleges-political-interference-4654719.html [4] https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/calcutta-high-court-grants-interim-stay-on-fir-against-vivek-agnihotri-over-the-bengal-files/426945 [5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-bengal-files-trailer-launch-disrupted-by-police-in-kolkata-vivek-agnihotri-alleges-political-interference/story-5WQjKh71x7U7wMJhGg9e9O.html
The disrupted trailer launch of The Bengal Files, a film filled with politically charged content, has been met with legal challenges and allegations of political interference. This includes FIRs filed against director Vivek Agnihotri in West Bengal, accusing the film of containing sensitive content that could disturb communal harmony.
The controversies surrounding The Bengal Files have not dampened its potential, as it continues to generate buzz and attract attention, especially among celebrities like Mithun Chakraborty and Saswata Chatterjee, who are part of the project.
