Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, renowned for unflinching portrayals of India’s untold stories, opens up about the relentless hurdles in bringing ‘The Bengal Files’ to life. As the capstone to his provocative trilogy—after ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’—this motion picture uncovers the brutal Hindu genocides amid the 1946 Direct Action Day, Noakhali carnage, and partition horrors.
The ordeal began early. Hours before cameras rolled, production designer Rajat Poddar passed away unexpectedly, leaving grand sets half-built and a team in shock. Undeterred, they forged ahead in his tribute, finishing the shoot with unwavering commitment.
In a candid conversation, Agnihotri described 2025 as his year of unyielding struggle. Certified by the national film board, the movie still met a wall of resistance upon release. Kolkata witnessed violent assaults on cinemas, anonymous threats escalated, and West Bengal enforced a shadow ban.
Theater owners faced intimidation from law enforcement and political heavyweights, forcing even major chains to pull out. Nationwide protests from media, activists, and groups demanded suppression, but the director stood firm.
Agnihotri laments the betrayal of democratic pillars. ‘Institutions tasked with safeguarding speech failed us spectacularly,’ he said, calling it a governmental defeat. For filmmakers, it’s a stark reminder of invisible powers that override all.
Support from everyday heroes—middle-class citizens, laborers, ethical reporters, and peers—couldn’t fully pierce the blockade. Still, in pockets where it screened, ‘The Bengal Files’ ignited minds, revealing how history’s truths mirror today’s censored realities.
Echoing themes from his ‘Urban Naxal’ writings, Agnihotri ponders India’s path ahead. ‘We’ve endured, and the film has touched hearts,’ he notes triumphantly. This battle underscores that unveiling facts remains cinema’s fiercest war.
